Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
114. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the number of working hubs operating in Cork as part of Connected Hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37548/26]
View answerOur Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, recognises the importance of remote working and committed to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025. I am happy to say that we reached this target last November.
At the centre of the commitment to deliver the network of 400 hubs is the connectedhubs.ie online platform which provides hub owners and customers with a central, easy to use portal that offers and enables the booking and payment for a range of services, particularly professional remote working spaces and meeting rooms. The platform is funded by my Department and managed by the Western Development Commission.
There are currently 44 hubs on the Connected Hubs Platform in County Cork which includes 12 hubs in Cork city and 32 in the rest of the county. I was delighted to be joined by An Taoiseach recently to officially open a new facility at Campas Íosagáin Digital Hub i mBaile Bhuirne, Contae Chorcaí, which included investment of over €3.4 million from my Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
I am fully committed to ensuring that we continue to build upon the benefits that hybrid and remote working offer to communities all across Ireland.
