Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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77. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding provided since the February 2020 general election to date with regard to the provision of community and remote work hubs in County Wicklow; if she plans further funding specifically in this area; if so, the timeframe for the funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8273/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates a number of schemes that focus on projects supporting the development of remote working hubs as outlined in Our Rural Future–Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. 

To date, approximately €100m has been provided by my Department through various funding streams to support the development of digital hubs and remote working facilities across Ireland.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the establishment of digital hubs. Under last year's schemes, projects that bring vacant properties in town centres back into use as remote working hubs were eligible for funding. The repurposing of existing community or publicly owned buildings in town or village centres to facilitate remote working was also eligible application themes.

Last year I awarded almost €9 million in funding through the Connected Hubs funding stream to more than 100 applicants from all across the country. This included funding for 3 remote working hubs in Wicklow, namely - Wicklow Hub, Wicklow Office Suites and the Arklow Business Enterprise Centre. This has enabled them to, for example, create additional office spaces, install video conferencing equipment, and to enhance their remote working offering.  A list of successful applicants is available on my Department's website. 

The development of a National Hubs Network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery.

I am currently reviewing all my Department’s funding streams and I will make an announcement shortly on the plans for 2022.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to engage for SMEs and employers to facilitate and further encourage the use of working hubs as long-term arrangements for business opportunities in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8574/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025.

In May last year 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. There are currently 189 hubs live on the platform, with this number growing on an ongoing basis. 

The National Hub Network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities, thus facilitating companies of different sizes. To date our focus has been to develop a critical mass of hubs on the connectedhubs.ie platform - the focus will now shift to raising awareness of the network to relevant stakeholders, including SMEs/business owners and hub users. Work is also ongoing to consult with hub managers across the country in developing the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network.  

A significant number of initiatives will be developed through the Network including; supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and large scale employers; supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and Government agencies; and supporting collaborative projects in the Network to drive economies of scale.  

The development of a National Hubs Network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery.