Fine Gael MEP candidate for Dublin, Frances Fitzgerald, today said that Dublin’s local authorities should push for funding under the EU’s ‘WIFI4EU’ initiative - so that it can be rolled out across the whole of Dublin by 2020.
“In 2018, the EU invested €120 million to provide free public Wi-Fi access points - so that citizens could enjoy connectivity in public spaces such as parks, public buildings, libraries, health centres and museums.
“The first roll-out of the initiative saw Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council awarded funding for free public Wi-Fi points. A second roll out was announced earlier this month - and it is hoped that Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council can secure funding in this call.
“This initiative is a great opportunity for local authorities to provide clear and tangible services to Dublin citizens. It is also an example of the practical benefits that the EU offers its citizens on a day-to-day basis.
“It is expected that a total of 6,000 – 8,000 local authorities will benefit from WiFi4EU by 2020 - providing free Wi-Fi hotspots all across Europe in the coming years.
“I am encouraging all Dublin local authorities to get on board with this initiative and make the case for funding for their local area. Free Wi-Fi in public places should become the norm rather than the exception in future.
“WiFi4EU-funded networks will be free of charge, free of advertising and free of personal data harvesting. Funding will be provided for networks that do not duplicate existing free private or public offers of a similar quality.”
ENDS