Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
28. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work her Department is undertaking to capitalise on the opportunities presented by remote and blended working for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra29. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she plans to take to promote and support remote working and flexible working; her views on the benefits for rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33688/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the ongoing work by her Department to support remote working initiatives; her views on the benefits of remote working for balanced regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34457/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has supported or expects to further develop remote working initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34458/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29, 353 and 354 together.
The increased shift to remote work in the last six months by many employers and employees has highlighted the possibilities for remote working facilities to contribute to a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent long hours commuting.
Remote working can help to retain talented people in rural communities, encourage mobile workers to move to the regions, provide increased trade for local businesses, and revitalise our rural towns.
Over the last number of years, my Department has invested significantly in remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Libraries programme.
My Department has also been working with the Western Development Commission to build an integrated network of remote working hubs along the Atlantic Economic Corridor, from Kerry to Donegal. The WDC has identified and mapped more than 100 remote working hubs which serve that region. The WDC's objective is to develop these hubs into a cohesive network of facilities for remote workers, students and for community use. The approach adopted by the WDC is to be extended to other parts of the country, as a national initiative which is being overseen by my Department.
My Department is also working with a number of partners to roll out and develop a network of approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across the State, many of which will provide remote working facilities in their communities. These BCPs are also being mapped as part of the WDC’s work.
An additional €5 million has also been allocated to my Department in Budget 2021 to support the development of the national hubs network, as well as to upgrade existing facilities throughout the country.
