Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025.
In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network. There are currently 170 hubs live on the platform, with this number growing every week. (Table 1 attached provides a breakdown by County).
TABLE 1 – Connectedhubs.ie - Remote Working Hubs by County (as at 26 November 2021)
County
|
Live on the connectedhubs.ie platform
|
Mapped to be invited to join the connectedhubs.ie platform
|
Carlow
|
4
|
3
|
Cavan
|
3
|
6
|
Clare
|
10
|
7
|
Cork
|
13
|
18
|
Donegal
|
11
|
11
|
Dublin
|
27
|
38
|
Galway
|
16
|
27
|
Kerry
|
13
|
13
|
Kildare
|
3
|
7
|
Kilkenny
|
1
|
5
|
Laois
|
4
|
5
|
Leitrim
|
7
|
14
|
Limerick
|
10
|
11
|
Longford
|
2
|
3
|
Louth
|
3
|
7
|
Mayo
|
11
|
21
|
Meath
|
0
|
12
|
Monaghan
|
6
|
3
|
Offaly
|
4
|
10
|
Roscommon
|
4
|
14
|
Sligo
|
3
|
9
|
Tipperary
|
4
|
21
|
Waterford
|
4
|
8
|
Westmeath
|
0
|
8
|
Wexford
|
5
|
9
|
Wicklow
|
2
|
4
|
TOTAL
|
170
|
294
|
The National Hub Network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities, thus facilitating clients of different types with varying requirements.
To date our focus has been to develop a critical mass of hubs on the connectedhubs.ie platform - the focus will now shift to raising awareness of the network to relevant stakeholders, including SMEs/business owners and hub users. Work is also ongoing to consult with hub managers across the country in developing the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network.
A significant number of initiatives will be developed through the Network including: supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and large scale employers; supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and Government agencies; and supporting collaborative projects in the Network to drive economies of scale.
My Department also supports the development of remote working facilities and hubs via a number of funding streams. To date, over €83m in funding has been provided in this regard through schemes such as the Rural Regeneration Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The development of a National Hubs Network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the 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.