Written answers

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Digital Hubs

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the funding for hubs under the connected hubs funding stream to facilitate remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17940/22]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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962. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the funding for hubs under the connected hubs funding stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18064/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 962 together.

Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, clearly recognises the transformative effect that remote working can have for employers and employees all across the country.

In recognition of this, my Department continues to invest heavily in the establishment and development of remote work hub facilities through various funding streams.

In May last year I launched the National Connected Hubs network - connectedhubs.ie. There are currently over 220 hubs live on the platform, with this number rising on an ongoing basis. This represents significant progress within the first year of the existence of the network.

Details for the onboarded hub facilities can be obtained via the Connected hubs platform - www.connectedhubs.ie

I recently launched the Connected Hubs mobile app, which allow users to find their nearest hub facility and easily book a desk space using their mobile device. The Connected Hubs mobile app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android.

Last year, I allocated almost €9 million to the 2021 Connected Hubs Fund, which supported over 100 hubs and BCPs, and enabled them to develop and leverage the capacity and quality of existing remote working facilities across the country.

In February this year, I launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, a €5 million funding stream to further support remote working facilities, including Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), throughout the country and add further capacity to the National Hub Network. The closing date for this round of funding was 4 April.

The National Hub Network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities, thus facilitating the needs of different employers and employees across Ireland. To date my focus has been on establishing the network and on achieving the initial critical mass. Following strong progress on the establishment phase of the project, my focus has now shifted to the next stage of development.

To this end, my officials have been consulting with hub managers across the country, and with other stake holders, to better inform the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network and of the connectedhubs.ie platform. I also recently announced the commencement of a major promotional campaign which will serve to raise awareness of the services available on connectedhubs.ie.

This shift of focus will help to ensure that the network continues to provide the level of service that employers and employees need as Covid restrictions are eased.

I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the ongoing 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.

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