Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
992. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to strive for an even spread of development, job locations and digital hubs throughout the country in such a way as to ensure the availability of an office setting in areas not previously sufficiently provided for through digital developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, places a central importance on the objective of achieving balanced regional and rural development and maximising economic growth and development in all parts of the country. The Policy contains a wide range of actions across Government which will support this aim. I recently published the first Progress Report for Our Rural Future, which shows the considerable progress that has been made under the Policy to date.
In relation to the specific issue of hubs as referenced by the Deputy, Our Rural Future 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.
Last May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network, both hub managers and remote workers. There are currently 223 hubs live on the platform, with this number increasing on an ongoing basis.
Hubs in the National Network may be found in villages, towns and cities across the country and, when the Network is complete, I expect more than 400 hubs to be available via the shared online platform. The location and details of all hubs in the National Hub Network may be found at www.connectedhubs.ie
In parallel with the National Hubs Network project, my department is also establishing 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) in rural and isolated areas, including a number of off-shore islands. BCPs are publicly accessible facilities that will make onsite internet-enabled services available to their local communities, including remote work and study. The locations of all BCPs, live and planned, may be found at www.myconnectedcommunity.ie
My Department continues to fund the establishment and development of remote working hubs under a number of funding streams, including funding of €18.5m under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Successful projects included 28 remote working proposals.
Furthermore, in February I launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, a €5 million funding stream to further support remote working facilities (including BCPs) throughout the country and add further capacity to the National Hub Network. My officials are currently evaluating the applications submitted and I expect to announce the successful applicants in the next few weeks.
In short, my Department has for the last number of years made a determined effort to ensure, in so far as is reasonably possible, that those wishing to work from a remote or co-working space has the opportunity to do so. The investment in and development of this remote working infrastructure will have tangible impact on the delivery of more balanced regional and rural development.
