Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
598. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out an assessment of the potential of remote delivery in health and community development; and if new initiatives are planned in this arena. [4243/24]
View answerWhile my colleague, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D., is responsible for remote delivery of health services, there are a number of initiatives underway in my Department which will be of interest to the Deputy.
One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities as those in larger urban areas. I am working to achieve this ambition by providing significant funding and support through my Department.
The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative has brought connectivity to almost 300 publicly available sites across the country. BCPs are located in publicly accessible buildings, such as community centres, sports clubs and libraries that allow the public to access the internet on site. They are located in some of the most rural communities throughout each local authority area, including islands off Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Cork.
My Department has facilitated a number of projects which will take advantage of the opportunities that connectivity and remote delivery offers, and provide solutions to challenges or address gaps in service that have been identified by the Department, local authority or other stakeholders. Projects in thematic areas such as Remote Working, Digital Skills and Education, eHealth and Arts and Culture have been developed in partnership with key stakeholders and rolled out to suitable BCPs across the network.
Our Rural Future also committed to the establishment a comprehensive, integrated national network of Remote Working Hubs over the lifetime of the policy. Connected Hubs (www.connectedhubs.ie), a Government of Ireland initiative, was launched in May 2021. It is a single network of remote working hubs nationwide that provides users with information on facilities available in each hub, location and a booking and payment service.
The Connected Hubs initiative has grown substantially since its launch and currently has some 340 hubs live on the platform. A number of initiatives have been developed via the Connected Hubs network that benefit the wider community. For example, 'Learning in the Hubs' is a partnership between Technology University of the Shannon and Connected Hubs that enables adult learners to undertake part-time courses together in local hubs with state-of-the-art facilities. The concept allows students to remain in their own locality to study, while also providing a space to meet and network with other students. 'Art In the Hub' is a collaboration between Connected Hub members and the Contemporary Irish Art Society that places art in participating remote working facilities across the country.
