Kildare County Council has published the first Digital Strategy for County Kildare, aimed at creating an inclusive, progressive, innovative and connected digital society and economy for the benefit of Kildare’s citizens and businesses.
‘Kildare Konnected’ identifies five strategic pillars which aim to maximise the opportunities of digital transformation and development for the benefit of our society and economy, ensuring that Kildare is among the best places to live, work, visit or invest. They are:
- Digital Economy & Enterprise
- Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Digital Skills & Literacy
- Dgital Society & Culture
- Digital Public Services
Kildare County Council, along with all local authorities are producing and implementing digital strategies as a key part of local policy and planning. In Kildare, ‘Kildare Konnected’ will support other local policies and strategies such as the County Development Plan and Local Economic & Community Plan. The National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework which will bring us to 2030 contains 4 of the 5 pillars included in the Kildare County Council Framework.
The ‘Kildare Konnected’ strategy will help transform the way we do business, interact, innovate and become more productive and creative as a society. Doing more with Digital is a core ethos of the strategy which aims provide access to digital skills, modern, efficient & connected workspaces & hubs, utilizing digital technologies as well as setting targets for digital development of public services.
Digital infrastructure is a critical enabler for the realization of the strategy, and the rollout of the National Broadband Plan investment of €53m in Kildare to delivery fast fiber and other broadband solutions to homes, businesses, premises, schools, farms and community facilities is vital.
Consultation and collaboration were central to the development of the Kildare Digital Strategy, working with businesses, partner agencies, community groups and directly with citizens to inform the key elements and actions of the digital strategy to meet the needs of our citizens, businesses and visitors.
Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick said, “Kildare’s first Digital Strategy – ‘Kildare Konnected’ aspires to support citizens and businesses alike to realise the benefits of digitalisation under 5 Strategic Pillars. In collaboration with our stakeholders, the strategy aims to maximise the opportunities of digital transformation for the benefit of our society and economy, ensuring that Kildare is among the best places to live, work, visit and invest. Kildare County Council is committed to encouraging and facilitating citizens to do more with digital.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said, “I look forward to seeing the new opportunities that can arise from Kildare’s first Digital Strategy, ‘Kildare Konnected’. As we move towards a more digitised society, it is positive to see our Local Authority recognise this changing environment and respond with a digital strategy for the benefit of the citizens, businesses, community partners and visitors to County Kildare.”
Padraic McGuinness, PMG Consult and report author noted, “there is a rich and diverse set of digital assets and strengths across Kildare as well as pockets of need in terms of connectivity, facilities, and opportunity. Kildare Digital Strategy (Kildare Konnected) will help transform the way we do business, interact, innovate, and become more productive and creative as a society. ‘Doing more with Digital’ encapsulates the ethos and rationale for the strategy.”
Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said, “‘Kildare Konnected’, the first Digital Strategy for County Kildare creates the foundation for an innovative, inclusive, collaborative, and connected county. The Strategy will build on the rollout of the National Development Plan, which will invest over €53m in Kildare, providing fast fibre and other fast broadband solutions to homes, business premises, farms, schools and community facilities. Our existing resources, knowledge, networks and plans will embrace what is happening with digital at a national and international level, including the rollout of e-Government Strategy. ‘Kildare Konnected’ provides the pathway for Kildare County Council to achieve its vision, enabling an era of innovation and smart planning for the benefit of all who live, work and visit County Kildare.”
Full details of the strategy, Kildare Konnected is available to view on the Kildare County Council website, please see here.
Source: Kildare County Council
