Latest news with #Eircode
Agriland
4 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
40,000 farms now able to access high-speed fibre broadband
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the government's National Broadband Plan (NBP), has announced that more than 40,000 farms can now access high-speed fibre broadband with over 17,000 already connected. Take-up among farms stands at 42.5%, trending significantly higher than the national average of 35%. In total, almost 65,000 farms will have access to high-speed fibre broadband through the National Broadband Plan. This milestone comes as NBI recently announced that more than two thirds of the premises included in its rollout area have now been passed with over 367,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country now able to access high-speed fibre broadband. To date, over 129,000 premises across the country have connected to the NBI Network, with take-up exceeding 60% in areas that were among the first to go live. Chief executive officer (CEO), National Broadband Ireland, Peter Hendrick said: 'We're proud to see such strong adoption of high-speed broadband among the farming community. 'With two in every five farms connected to the NBI Network, the uptake reflects the growing importance of digital tools and services in modern farming. 'A high-speed fibre connection is now an everyday essential for farmers and farm families across Ireland. 'Access to fibre broadband unlocks limitless opportunities and allows farmers to adopt new technologies to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability,' he added. The NBI representative said that rural communities should have access to the same benefits as urban areas – the same entertainment, work-from-home opportunities, and educational resources. 'We encourage farmers and everyone living in rural Ireland to check their Eircode on the NBI website and see if they can get connected today,' he continued. As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or retail service providers (RSPs). As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new fibre-to-the-home network available to all RSPs operating in their rollout area. The National Broadband Ireland website is regularly updated to show estimated connection dates. NBI will be responsible for the management of the new national broadband network for at least the next 25 years.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Geraldine Herbert: Driving test waiting times can be driven down by volunteers in the passenger seat
Pairing learners with experienced volunteer drivers will give them a better chance of passing – and not being sent to the back of the queue Today at 21:30 Few rites of passage feel as unevenly stacked as the Irish driving test. Your chances of success can feel like an Eircode lottery. In April, learners in Tallaght, Dublin faced a 43-week wait and a pass rate of 42pc. Over in Loughrea, Galway, it's a different story: the wait time was half as long and the pass rate is 65pc. Same country, same test, very different outcomes. Nationally, the average wait time ballooned from 15 weeks to 27 in just a year – a far cry from the Road Safety Authority's (RSA) promised 10-week turnaround. The RSA's latest report shows that waiting times are falling, with the national average now below 23 weeks and projected to drop sharply as new measures take effect. However, the national pass rate hovers around 53pc, meaning many learners are sent back to the queue multiple times, compounding delays across the system. Two big questions are going unanswered: why are so many learners failing? And what kind of support are they getting before they sit the test? Ireland's approach to learner drivers has long been a patchwork of contradiction and compromise. In 1979, a postal strike caused such a backlog that about 45,000 full driving licences were issued en masse to those with a second provisional licence. For decades, we turned a blind eye to unaccompanied learners and ballooning wait times – a textbook example of the 'Irish solution to an Irish problem'. More recently, though, the pendulum has swung in the other direction. The Clancy Amendment, introduced in 2018, gave gardaí the power to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied learners. It also made both the driver and the vehicle owner legally accountable. But while this move was necessary – arguably even life-saving – it hasn't fixed the deeper dysfunction. Let's be clear: driving unaccompanied is dangerous. Since 2016, over 80pc of learner drivers involved in fatal crashes were unaccompanied. In 2023 alone, 13 out of 14 fatal learner collisions involved drivers who were alone in the car. The picture is just as grim when it comes to serious injuries – between 2019 and 2023, nearly three-quarters of learner drivers in serious collisions were driving solo. A learner without proper support is not just more likely to fail a test – they're more likely to crash. We've known this for years. So why haven't we fixed it? The purpose of accompanied driving isn't just to meet a legal requirement – it's to help learner drivers build confidence and develop safe habits in a controlled, supportive environment. Real learning happens through steady, supervised practice with the safety net of an experienced passenger. The 12 mandatory essential driver training (EDT) lessons are just a starting point. They were never designed to create fully competent drivers on their own. The system assumes learners will get extra practice between lessons, but many don't have access to a car or someone to sit beside them. For those without this support, the system sets them up to struggle. Relying solely on the EDT lessons leaves many underprepared. Some are tempted to bend the rules, while others are simply locked out, missing opportunities for work, education or independence. Ireland should pilot a national volunteer system, pairing vetted, experienced drivers with learners who lack backup. It's not a new idea. In New Zealand, a similar scheme matches learners with trained volunteer mentors, provides insured vehicles and covers costs like fuel. These programmes have improved pass rates and reduced road offences – but they've also proved a lifeline for those otherwise left behind. Here, volunteers could be drawn from retired drivers, community groups, or local businesses, with training and oversight from the RSA. It's a practical, scalable solution that could genuinely change lives. Technology could also be used more effectively. Digital resources such as Virtual Driving Instructor could be formally integrated into the learning process to help learners structure their practice, track progress and improve between lessons. Evidence from other countries shows they can accelerate learning and reduce costs. A national pilot could offer free or subsidised access to those who need it most. It's not a replacement for instruction, but a smart supplement – especially for those who can't afford multiple extra lessons. And yes, we do need to recruit more testers. But in a country where 83pc of employers report talent shortages – according to the 2025 ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Report – we can't pretend recruitment alone will solve this. What we need is a system that works for everyone: one that gives learners a safe, fair and timely path to independence. We've muddled through for decades. Our young people deserve better.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Uisce Éireann crews working to repair burst water mains in Wexford
The burst is affecting water supply to Uisce Éireann customers in Gorey and the surrounding areas and crews are on site and are working to repair the burst. It is estimated that repairs will be complete and supply will return to normal levels from approximately 2p.m. this afternoon. Uisce Éireann's Padraig Lyng assured affected customers that supply will be restored as quickly as possible. 'We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to customers by unplanned outages and we want to thank affected homes and businesses for their understanding while our crews work to repair the burst and restore normal supply,' said Padraig. Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. To register as a vulnerable customer or as an alternative contact, visit their Vulnerable Customers page. For further updates, go to Uisce Éireann's website, X channels @IWCare and @IrishWater, on Facebook and LinkedIn or their customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number on their text updates page.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Burst pipe affecting 3,000 homes and businesses in west Tipperary
Areas affected include Lisvernane, Bansha, Longford Pass, Rossadhreid, Cordangan, Aherlow, Ross Bog, Ardlomen, Mount Bruis, Kilross, Shronell, Lattin, Glenbane, Cullen, Emily, and surrounding areas. Water services crews are on site and have commenced repair work. Due to the burst's complex nature and location, repairing and restoring normal supply to all customers affected by this unplanned outage will take longer than usual. Alternative water supplies are being arranged for customers on the extremities of the network. Tankers were available on Friday afternoon, May 16, at Emly village and Lattin village. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure. Pierce Faherty, operations lead at Uisce Éireann, said: 'We understand the inconvenience caused by a significant outage like this. The disruption is due to an issue at a pump station and a separate major burst on a trunk main on the same network. The repair of the complex trunk water main is still ongoing. 'Due to the intricacy of these repairs, it will take longer than usual, and we anticipate that it could be the weekend before the water supply is fully restored to all our valued customers. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time.' Vulnerable customers registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from the company for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. The customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact the company on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, customers can see the water supply and services section on the Uisce Éireann website. Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Boil water notice lifted for customers on Waterford-Tipperary border
This decision follows consultation undertaken with the HSE. All consumers on the Poulavonogue Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth. Residents should note that there are two Poulavonogue supplies in the Clonmel area. This notice relates to the small scheme historically managed by Waterford County Council. The boil water notice was issued on April 15 to protect the health of 84 customers. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked hard to lift the notice for impacted customers as quickly and as safely as possible. Uisce Éireann's Maura Phelan, acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community. 'Uisce Éireann regrets the inconvenience that the boil water notice had on the community. 'I would like to thank them for their patience and support while our drinking water experts worked to lift the boil water notice as quickly as it was safe to do so. I would also like to thank the local councillors and the media for their assistance in sharing the information during the period of this boil water notice,' said Ms Phelan. Uisce Éireann and the HSE water liaison group will continue to meet and will review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply. Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at the text alerts page.
