The European Commission has approved state aid of 2.6 billion euros for the National Broadband Plan.
It means that the Government can now move towards signing the contract to deliver high-speed broadband.
The scheme aims to address connectivity deficits across Ireland and to achieve 100% high-speed coverage.
Communications Minister Richard Bruton has welcomed the approval and says that the digital revolution will not "bypass rural Ireland."
In a statement, he says: 'The National Broadband Plan will deliver high-speed broadband to 1.1 million people, almost one-quarter of our country. Without high-speed broadband it will be significantly more difficult to attract new jobs to rural areas and develop new enterprise opportunities and it will be more difficult to retain the jobs that currently exist in these areas. High-speed broadband will allow remote working, which can ease congestion and reduce emissions. It will ensure that the digital revolution happening in education, healthcare, farming, and tourism does not bypass rural Ireland. We will make sure that rural Ireland is not left behind.'
