I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
A key focus of Our Rural Future (2021-2025) is to promote remote working for public and private sector workers and improve digital skills so that all people can avail of the social and economic benefits made possible by digital technologies and to optimise digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities.
In 2021, I launched connectedhubs.ie, a shared online booking and payments platform for remote working hubs, both urban and rural to offer a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the network and their customers. There are currently 367 remote and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie platform.
Substantial funding has been provided by my Department towards the development of remote working facilities. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with many vacant and derelict buildings converted into remote working hubs through programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. In addition, the Connected Hubs Call provided funding of €14 million to almost 200 projects between 2021 and 2022, enabling successful applicants to add additional capacity to existing infrastructure in remote working hubs throughout the country.
My Department, together with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, is leading on the formulation of a first National Hub Network Strategy, in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other hub sector stakeholders. The strategy will inform the future strategic direction of the national hub network and ensure the sustainability of Ireland’s hub infrastructure.
I am committed to closing the digital divide between rural and urban communities, and believe that a structured approach to the provision of remote working facilities can be transformational for Ireland.
