The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, has proposed that £120 million (€152 million) be set aside for communications infrastructure development over the next six years. Proposals for how the money will be spent will be reviewed in the spring, but the focus of the investment will be to ensure all regions benefit from advances in telecommunications. The announcement followed the final allocation of £2.8 million for four advanced communications projects throughout the State.

This follows a previous allocation of £18.2 million for nine telecommunications projects last July.

The latest projects are to be implemented by Eircom, Esat Telecom, Irish Multichannel and Suir-Nore Relays.

All of the projects have been co-funded under the EU Interreg and Economic Infrastructure Operational programme. This has leveraged a further £31.2 million worth of private sector funds. The projects will be deployed in more than 120 towns and 21 counties by December 31st, 2000.

"These four projects announced today represent the final tranche of funding for advanced communications infrastructure and services under the National Development Plan 1994 to 1999," Ms O'Rourke said.

This type of funding will continue until 2006 following the £120 million that has been earmarked for the purpose.