Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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914. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline any supports for a private commercial concern who wishes to develop a remote working hub in a rural town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35263/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.

In May 2021, I launched our National Hubs Network - Connected Hubs. Connected Hubs is a shared online booking and payments platform for member hubs and their users. There are currently some 250 remote and co-working facilities across the State on Connected Hubs, including both private and publicly run hubs. This number is growing all the time meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025. The network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities.

Over €100m has been invested in recent years in the development of remote working facilities through programmes implemented by my Department. For example, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, many applications focusing on the development of remote working hubs have been developed and submitted by local authorities in consultation with local community and business groups. Similarly, my Department has provided some €14m over the course of the 2021 and 2022 Connected Hubs Call for public and privately owned hubs to develop their capacity and facilities.

The LEADER programme may also be of relevance to the Deputy's question. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.

Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.