Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
103. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to encouraging the use of digital hubs for arts purposes when they are not being used for remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55100/21]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the potential of digital hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages as well as the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators. My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting the development of digital hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). .
In May of this year, I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. This platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network. The Network will also facilitate the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community. The National Hub Working Group, led by my Department, will explore all opportunities for further development of the Connected Hubs Network to ensure member hubs provide maximum benefit to local communities.
In July I awarded almost €9 million in funding through the Connected Hubs stream to add capacity to existing digital hubs and broadband connection points throughout the country. Part of the requirements for successful applicants was to provide an additional benefit-in-kind contribution to the community. This could be through the use of discounted access to artists, students or community groups - one hub in the Network regularly provides their facilities for free to local artists for exhibitions.
Details of calls for applications to 2022 funding streams/development initiatives will be announced by my Department in due course, although I can confirm that funding to support the ongoing development of Hubs and BCPs as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets will continue next year.
As part of the development of the BCP Initiative my officials have been working with a number of organisations to implement pilot projects under various categories, one of which is arts and culture. Some of the pilot initiatives facilitated via the BCP ‘Connected Communities’ network include:
- The Ark delivered an online creative workshop for children;
- The Wexford Art Centre delivered online painting classes;
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art delivered the ‘Talking Art Online’ programme, a discussion based activity for older people, exploring art works guided by the museum’s team of experts;
- Access Cinema is supporting communities on our islands to develop film clubs;
- Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU, the Society of Irish Pipers) is delivering free Uillean Pipes tuition;
- Meath County Council is organising a musical event which will be streamed via the BCP network;
- And the Irish Film Institute is working on a specially curated ‘BCP Film Festival’, which will take place in BCPs next year.
A report on the pilot project findings will be prepared with a view to a wider rollout of successful initiatives.
