Digitalisation plan hindered by funding dispute

Talgildu Føroyar (the National Digitalisation Programme of the Faroe Islands) has turned into a feud between local authorities and the Ministry of Finance.

The municipalities are refusing to pay their share of the project, arguing that the finance ministry has not repaid them the DKK 25.3 million that was taken out of their budget last year to finance tax cuts for early retirement pensioners.

The Talgildu Føroyar programme is estimated to cost the country’s municipalities DKK 25 million per year.

No money, no contract

The Local Councils’ Association has urged all municipalities not to sign any Talgildu Føroyar-related contracts with the finance ministry until this matter has been resolved.

Tórshavn Municipality, the country’s largest local council, is so far the only municipality that has signed the contract, and the Local Councils’ Association is now urging Tórshavn City Council to reconsider its stance and annul the deal.

According to Nicolai Balle, project leader of Talgildu Føroyar, parts of the project will be delayed if the local authorities do not pay.

Translated by prosa.fo