Richard Bruton
Question:27. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has assessed the scope for replicating the Ludgate Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33395/20]
View answerThursday, 5 November 2020
Questions (27)
Written answers
The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, and a number of other excellent innovation and incubator hubs across the country, have been exemplars in demonstrating how well-purposed remote working facilities can breathe new life in to rural areas.
Remote working can help to retain talented people in rural communities, encourage mobile workers to move to the regions, provide increased trade for local businesses, and revitalise our rural towns.
Over the last number of years, my Department has invested significantly in remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Libraries programme.
My Department is also working with a number of partners to roll out and develop a network of approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across the State. BCPs will be established in remote and isolated areas, including our off-shore islands, and many will provide remote working facilities in their communities.
My Department has also been working with the Western Development Commission to build an integrated network of remote working hubs along the Atlantic Economic Corridor, from Kerry to Donegal. The WDC has identified and mapped more than 100 remote working hubs which serve that region. The approach adopted by the WDC is to be extended to other parts of the country, as a national initiative which is being overseen by my Department.
Under Budget 2021, my Department has been allocated an additional €5 million to further support and develop hubs across the country, including BCPs and the Hub Network. As part of this work, my officials have engaged with the Ludgate Hub to explore possible avenues for co-operation and assistance.