12 October 2025

Community Fund

Scoil Naomh Padraig receives cash grant from RISE Community Fund to invest in new technology

Scoil Naomh Padraig in Drumfries has received a quick cash injection to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).

Established by NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE has awarded over 150 cash grants across the country to rural organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems. The fund is further supported by corporate sponsors including KN Circet, KPMG, DreamDev Technologies, and TLI Group.

The latest funding in Drumfries comes off the back of a call for entries that NBI had announced as part of its national roadshow, visiting locations where its new high-speed fibre broadband network under the Government’s National Broadband Plan is already driving significant benefits for rural communities.

Sorcha Harkin, Principal at Scoil Naomh Padraig, commented: “As a small rural school, we take great pride in empowering our pupils with the very best opportunities. With this grant from RISE and NBI, we’re investing in new tablet devices as part of our efforts to accelerate reading in the school. Using technology helps us to differentiate activities to suit the needs of every pupil and makes assessments highly personalised. We’re extremely grateful to RISE and NBI for this grant, which means a great deal to our school community.”

With an investment of €128m, over 34,000 homes, farms, businesses and schools in Co Donegal are included in NBI’s rollout of the Government’s National Broadband Plan. Visiting Drumfries, David McCourt, Chairman of NBI and founder of RISE, explained why he was keen to come to the area and give back to the community with grants.

“We’re delighted to have had this opportunity to meet with a fantastic array of community groups in Donegal and give a financial boost to those who really want to capitalise on their new high-speed connectivity. Scoil Naomh Padraig is a fantastic example of a school looking to embrace new technologies to improve the effectiveness of education with the use of technology,” said McCourt.

NBI recently announced that 24,854 premises across County Donegal can already avail of a high-speed connection on its new fibre network. The entire Inishowen Peninsula is now ready for service, with 2,801 premises in Cardonnagh, 1,654 in Moville and 1,983 in Buncrana. Take-up of NBI’s fibre broadband has started to surpass 60% in areas where the network have been live longest.

TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer at National Broadband Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to be partnered with the RISE Community Fund and giving back to the communities we serve with the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. We recognise that access to high-speed fibre broadband is a critical first step, but when it’s combined with access to funding, training, technology and mentorship, it’s truly game changing. That’s why we’re excited to support Scoil Naomh Padraig with this latest grant and support their plans to use technology to introduce new digital learning initiatives.”

NBI is reminding Donegal residents to also visit their website at nbi.ie to check whether their home, farm or business is included in the National Broadband Plan and to sign up for Eircode specific updates on the rollout.

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