The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, announced €35 million in funding for cutting-edge digital infrastructure projects in Ireland under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The CEF is a key EU funding instrument aimed at promoting growth, jobs, and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investments at a European level. The projects selected for funding include high-performance digital backbone networks, 5G large-scale pilots for transport corridors, and Smart Communities initiatives.
Minister O’Donovan praised Irish companies for securing the EU funding, noting that their success highlights Ireland’s growing leadership in delivering innovative, high-impact digital projects. He emphasized that the projects will strengthen international links, support innovation, and provide communities and businesses across Ireland with world-class digital infrastructure.
Among the funded projects is the Emerald Motorway Corridor (Dundalk – Rosslare Harbour) led by Vantage Towers Ireland, awarded €3,539,820.50. This project will create a high-speed 5G corridor from the Northern Ireland border to Rosslare Europort, ensuring uninterrupted high-speed data coverage and meeting future technology needs of the automotive and logistics sectors.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) received €12,281,625 for its 5G Scalable Hubs initiative, which includes a virtual digital lab to support student training, apprenticeships, and remote learning, particularly benefiting rural communities. The project aims to develop skilled designers, engineers, and tradespeople to address Ireland’s housing and infrastructure challenges while attracting international industry partners.
McMahon Design and Management Limited was awarded €18,932,210 for Phase 3 of the PISCES subsea cable system. This project will advance direct high-capacity connectivity between Ireland and mainland Europe, linking Ireland to France, Spain, and Portugal. The funding will support route development, engineering, and preparatory works for the subsea cable, contributing to resilient trans-European digital infrastructure and enhanced international connectivity.
