Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department plans to expand the ‘Learning in the Hubs’ initiative to other technological universities; the number of technological universities that will be eligible for the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26279/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A key focus of Our Rural Future - the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025 - is to optimise digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities, ensuring equality of access to digital services. Our Rural Future committed to the establishment of a network of 400 remote working hubs across the country by the end of 2025. Connectedhubs.ie was launched in mid 2021, and there are now 381 hubs live on the network. The Programme for Government 2025 Securing Ireland's Future also includes a commitment to expand the remit of Connected Hubs to unlock new opportunities in rural communities.

'Learning in the Hubs' is one such initiative and is currently being offered in collaboration with the Technological University of the Shannon through the TUS Learning Network Gateway. It uses the Connected Hubs network to bring third-level education programmes to communities across Ireland through enabling adult learners to undertake part-time courses together in local Connected Hubs with state-of-the-art facilities. The concept allows students to remain in their own locality to study, while also providing a space to meet and network with other students. Any Higher Education Institution is welcome to participate and the Connected Hubs team in the Western Development Commission is engaging with other HEI's to expand the courses available.

A new National Hubs Strategy, is currently being finalised and will be published later this year. It will present a coherent and whole-of-government approach to the future development of hubs including the development of new online learning partnerships such as the Learning in the Hubs Initiative. The strategy is being developed in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders.