COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Monday, April 29, 2013

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Manager if further progress has been made in the provision of public Wi-fi in Council facilities in the area under the remit of this Committee following the passing of a motion along these lines last year, and to make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

As the members may be aware, it is proposed that free public wi-fi may be rolled out under the Council's village renewal activities. Our objective is to provide free wireless internet access to the

general public on the main thoroughfares of the County's villages as a pro business measure and renewal initiative. In providing such facilities we are ultimately making these areas more attractive to the public to spend their time and consequently potentially conducting more business locally.

The model under which we propose to deliver the service outlined seeks to partner with local businesses enabling them to become stakeholders and engaging them in the process. As part of the engagement, the proposed WiFi service can provide the facility to initially drive users of the service to a customisable start page for advertising local business and/or local events. The logistical issues which the engagement of local business seeks to overcome involve; location provision by allowing access to their property for mounting of the WiFi equipment, and internet provision through segmentation of their existing broadband access allowing sharing of the service in a secure manner.

As part of the proposals the Council has made available funds to cover the cost of the necessary equipment, installation, and ongoing management of the solution. There is no additional financial cost on the businesses.

The Council has attempted to create these Wi-fi zones in Rathfarnham, Condalkin, and at Ballyroan. It is disappointing to report that the proposals did not gather sufficient interest among the business community in both Rathfarnham and Clondalkin in order to proceed – this despite significant support from local business representatives and extensive effort by both Council staff and third part suppliers. Logistical issues prevented proceeding in Ballyroan at the time.

Whilst the above outcome at the present time is disappointing, the Council is committed to providing the service as outlined in all village areas at such a point where there is enough interest amongst the local businesses to proceed. In the meantime the council are proceeding to give consideration to Lucan village as the next attempted roll out of the proposed solution. All locations which were identified through previous questions at Council meetings remain valid (libraries, public buildings, etc.) save for the Big Picture building which has been re-purposed at this stage.

END.