Ruadhán Jones
The Irish Bishops have withdrawn 78 schools from the first phase of the state’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) over fears they could be sued, The Irish Catholic understands.
The schools, as well as other buildings such as libraries and GAA clubhouses, were to act as broadband connection points (BCPs), providing hubs of high-speed broadband for local communities.
The hubs were to be an interim measure while the infrastructure necessary for the NBP was put in place.
According to sources, issues with the BCPs quickly emerged as it became apparent that schools would be liable for any damages or injuries sustained on their premises.
It is understood that the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) identified the 78 schools and initially dealt with them directly.
However, the schools did not own the premises and liability would fall back on the patrons of the schools, which in the case of Catholic schools is the local bishop.
Insurance
As a result, The Irish Catholic understands, it was the bishop’s responsibility to make sure that insurance was in place for the scheme.
The Irish bishops engaged with the DRCD in a series of meetings and it became clear that without a state indemnity, the scheme could not go forward.
A state indemnity would guarantee that the state accepts the financial risks associated with the costs of claims. Without this, schools’ insurers believed that there was a great risk that the cases could be taken against the schools involved in the scheme.
School insurers are already concerned about the small number of cases taken against schools in their capacity as polling booths.
Fear
They fear that, given that community hubs would see increased use outside normal school hours, the incidence of accidents and damages would increase dramatically.
The Catholic patronage schools, which have withdrawn from the scheme will still be provided with high-speed broadband for their own use rather than acting as a community internet access point.