Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
12. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the various funds under which the building or development of co-working hubs can be applied in rural and urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3966/21]
View answerMy Department has invested in the development of enterprise/co-working hubs in every region. Under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund, the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme, and the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme, Enterprise Ireland has invested over €180 million in these infrastructures. Based on Enterprise Ireland’s analysis, approximately 3,200 co-working/enterprise spaces are being developed across 45 of the 117 projects supported under these Funds.
These facilities provide affordable physical workspace for businesses across the country, deliver training and soft supports to their tenants and other companies in their locality and regional area, and offer co-working facilities.
To support enterprise centres impacted by COVID-19, Enterprise Ireland ran a €12 million competitive fund to provide eligible enterprise centres with financial support for the implementation of a 6 to 12 - month Recovery Plan. On the 20th November, I announced €8.24m in grants for 95 Enterprise Centres. The 95 enterprise centres, which are in every region of the country, will receive grants ranging from €10k to €150k.
My Department’s National Remote Work Strategy, which was published this month, recognises the importance of hubs in facilitating remote working. Under the Strategy, the National Hub Network Working Group, as chaired by the Department of Rural and Community Development, will make a significant investment in remote work hubs and infrastructure to underpin the development of the national hubs network.
I can also advise the Deputy that the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has invested significantly in remote working infrastructure & connectivity through the Broadband Connection Point Network initiative and a number of programmes and schemes including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Leader Programme.
The Deputy will be aware that an additional €5 million was allocated to DRCD in Budget 2021 to further develop remote working infrastructure. I have been advised that officials in DRCD are currently designing a Connected Working Call, which Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, expects to be in a position to announce shortly.
