Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
72. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided by her Department nationally and for County Wexford under the connected hubs programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8476/22]
View answerMy Department operates a number of schemes that focus on projects supporting the development of remote working hubs as outlined in Our Rural Future– Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.
To date, approximately €100m has been provided by my Department through various funding streams to support the development of digital hubs and remote working facilities across Ireland.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the establishment of digital hubs. Under last year's schemes, projects that bring vacant properties in town centres back into use as remote working hubs were eligible for funding. The repurposing of existing community or publicly owned buildings in town or village centres to facilitate remote working were also eligible application themes.
Last year I awarded almost €9 million in funding through the Connected Hubs funding stream to more than 100 applicants from all across the country. Over €319,000 of this funding was awarded to projects in Wexford, and a list of successful applicants is available on my Department's website.
My Department also supports the development of the Connected Hubs Network - www.connectedhubs.ie, The National network offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to its members. The Network will also facilitate the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community. These supports will serve to maximise benefit to member hubs, hub clients, employers, local communities and the wider economy. There are currently 189 hubs live on the platform, with this number growing every week.
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 strategic development of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play as key economic assets in our post-Covid recovery.
