Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
869. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding opportunities or ventures her Department is supporting to facilitate the roll-out of flexible working hubs in the towns of Carlow and Kilkenny. [41197/20]
View answerMy Department has invested significantly in remote working facilities over the last number of years through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Libraries programme.
Along with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, my Department has been working to establish a network of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) in remote rural areas which will provide free public access to high-speed broadband services in advance of the full roll out of the National Broadband.
Approximately 300 BCPs will be connected across the country over the coming months, including 8 sites in Co. Carlow and 6 in Co. Kilkenny. Many of the BCPs will provide capacity for remote working and remote study in rural areas. In 2020, my Department provided €66,780 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to develop infrastructure in BCPs in Co. Carlow.
An additional €5 million has been allocated in 2021 for targeted investment in digital hubs and BCPs through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This funding will assist these facilities to become a focus for communities and support remote workers and students. Details of the funding scheme will be announced in 2021. It is anticipated that it will be open to all Local Authorities, including Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils.
The ecosystem of hubs and other remote working facilities throughout the country are a significant support to both remote workers and students at the present time. They cover the spectrum from fully commercially-operating business models, to public sector and social enterprise operated hubs.
There is great potential for new hubs to be located in town centres to revitalise the commercial and social life of key towns and to utilise or repurpose vacant buildings.
