Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has launched a new €5 million fund to support the development of Ireland’s first national network of remote working hubs.

The Connected Hubs Fund will expand existing hub facilities, providing additional hot desks, office spaces and meeting rooms for remote working.

The funding will be used to install electric car charging points, upgrade disability access and improve IT facilities located within hubs or Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).

It will also assist in making existing hubs more compliant with social distancing guidelines.

The Connected Hubs Fund will support the key objectives of Our Rural Future the Government’s ambitious new five year policy for rural Ireland.

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

This fund is a central part of the Government’s strategy to create a nationwide network of hubs that will be accessible via an online app.

Read more on the Department's Digital Initiatives and Schemes

Reporting: Department of Rural and Community Development