Counties Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon have the slowest broadband in the county, according to a new survey.

The survey by price comparison website Switcher.ie of 27,000 internet users shows some areas of the country are struggling with broadband speeds insufficient to load email messages or perform basic Google searches.

A third of customers surveyed were left unable to perform basic online tasks, while one-in-three people say they may have to move to a nearby town or city to get a better connection for work.

Dublin has the fastest average broadband speed at 45 Mb per second, while Co Mayo has an average of 12 Mb per second.

However, the Minister for Communications Denis Naughton says action  is being taken on several fronts to improve broadband speeds – particularly in rural areas of the country.

Speaking with Midwest News, he says a contractor will be appointed next year to rollout the National Broadband Plan, which will  bring fibre to the home and will see many homes havinh access to broadband speeds of 1,000 Mb per second.

Minister Naughton said the vast majority of homes will have access to highspeed broadband within two and a half years, but admitted it may take up to 5 years to reach more isolated locations.