22 Jul Mayo Hubs to receive over €300k in funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme

• 5 remote working projects across Mayo to benefit
• Grants ranging from €10,000 to €250,000 for existing hubs & Broadband Connection Points (BCPs)
• Funding will assist in the development of the National Hub Network – a key action of Our Rural Future

 Fine Gael TD and spokesperson on Tourism and Sport Alan Dillon has today welcomed an announcement from Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, of over €8.8 million in nationwide funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme – a key deliverable of Our Rural Future.

The funding will enable existing hubs and broadband connection points to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure in every region across Ireland.

Grants will also fund measures to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges.

Deputy Dillon said “ This funding will benefit 5 projects in Mayo and will support a wide range of relevant works, including the expansion of existing hubs,  installation of privacy booths, access control and security systems, the conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices, and provision of enhanced audio visual, networking and conferencing facilities. The following hubs in Mayo were selected ;

• Cairn Enterprise Hub
• Leeson Enterprise Centre
• Mayo County Council
• The Courthouse
• Knockmore Resource Centre

This investment will support the ongoing development of the recently launched National Hub Network – connectedhubs.ie – which already has more than 100 hubs using the platform and 380 hubs mapped.

The supports delivered through this network will help build on the fantastic asset Ireland already has in its connected working ecosystem.

Included in the funding announced by the Minister is;

• €2.8m to develop remote working infrastructure in the Eastern and Midland region
• €3m to develop remote working infrastructure in the North-West region
• €3m to develop remote working infrastructure in the Southern region

Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Humphreys said:

“Our Rural Future recognises hubs as ideal locations for people to work remotely, as well as acting as key economic assets for towns and villages.

“The increased shift to remote working as a result of the pandemic has provided a golden opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs to support a better work life balance for many people.

“This opportunity is reflected in Our Rural Future and in policy initiatives across the whole of Government, such as Making Remote Work, the National Remote Working strategy.

“The investment announced today will provide an increased number of families and individuals with the option to live and work in our rural communities.  Remote working from hubs and Broadband Connection Points benefitting from this funding will also support local economies and assist in reducing our carbon emissions.”

Minister Humphreys concluded:

“I am particularly delighted that the projects approved today will support the ongoing development of the National Hub Network which I recently launched. With almost 400 remote working hubs already identified and mapped on connectedhubs.ie, this network will continue to grow and develop over the coming months and years and I would urge all existing and new hubs to become members and take advantage of the ongoing supports which the Network will provide.”

Deputy Dillon concluded:

“The National Hub Network shown the value of collaboration between Government and local authorities in connecting so many rural communities. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this connectivity in Mayo in the near future.”