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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Ceisteanna (374)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

374. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total investment in hubs capital infrastructure in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43752/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

This Government's investments in digital connectivity and a hub infrastructure have created the potential to have a transformative effect on the future of rural areas and suburban communities. There is now an improved understanding of the scale and potential of remote working facilities to support enterprise, attract investment and support resilient communities.

Since my Department was established in 2017, investment has been made in hubs capital infrastructure through programmes and initiatives including:

The LEADER Programme which has supported a total of 26 individual projects under its Enterprise Development and Broadband sub themes valued at over €1.7 million. This funding will allow for the creation of co-working and hub infrastructure in many rural towns and villages across Ireland, as well as direct capital for the purchase of ICT equipment which is necessary for the day to day operation of these facilities.

Libraries In 2018 there was a €7.8 million investment to support the upgrade of ICT capacity and facilities in public libraries and a number of approved projects were for the installation and expansion of digital connectivity in libraries. The €7.8 million investment comprised of €5.2 million from my Department and a further €2.6 million contribution from Local Authorities.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which is a major programme of investment established under the National Development Plan which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

The types of projects supported by the Fund include the development and delivery of remote working facilities, digital hubs, enterprise centres and landing spaces. Under the first and second calls to the Fund, 42 projects that are developing or delivering remote working facilities in rural towns and villages and their outlying areas were approved for funding of €51 million.

€62,000 was provided for hubs capital infrastructure through programmes and initiatives under the DAF Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises and €35,000 was provided under the Community Enhancement Scheme for two remote working facilities.

The current work of the Interdepartmental Working Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, to establish a national data-set of remote working facilities, will also support the improved targeting of investment in future.

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