Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I listened in to the Western Development Commission meeting, which recently had research completed by the University of Galway where 44% of respondents said that remote working was key to their future employment. Remote working and the hubs have been a game-changer, especially in rural Ireland. It has repopulated many towns and villages. In a relatively short time, when Covid-19 hit us, we had a huge migration of people from our major cities or from across in the UK or Australia or America moving back home, being able to work within their locality, and making huge life choices for the benefit of their kids and family. This was a result of the Minister's policy and the swiftness of the connected hubs scheme and those who delivered it.

I know one man, Stephen Carolan, who was project manager for many of them and with whom I am familiar. He was essential to that, along with his team. I commend the connected hubs and the national hub network team on their delivery.

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