Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
58. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the efforts to support remote and hybrid working in urban areas such as suburban villages of Dublin given the positive impact for communities and the reduction in commuter traffic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60043/21]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the depopulation of certain areas.
My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working through the development of hubs and Broadband Connection Points as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
To date, over €83m has been provided by my Department through various funding streams to support the development of digital hubs and remote working facilities across Ireland.
My Department also supports the development of the Connected Hubs Network - www.connectedhubs.ie, that offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to its members. There are currently 170 hubs live on the platform, with this number growing every week. There are currently 27 hubs based in County Dublin that are live on the platform. A further 38 have been mapped and are invited to join the National network.
Earlier this year I awarded almost €9 million in funding through the Connected Hubs funding stream to applicants across all regions. This included funding for a number of initiatives throughout County Dublin to add capacity to their remote working infrastructure, including for hubs in Malahide, Dun Laoghaire, Clondalkin and Terenure.
The development of a national hubs network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of remote working hubs in both rural and urban areas.
