- Innovation Hub in Monksland, Co. Roscommon becomes the 400th hub on the Connected Hubs Network
- Announced today at the National Hub Summit in Ballinalsoe, the target is a key deliverable under the Government’s Our Rural Future policy
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced that 400 hubs are now onboarded to ConnectedHubs.ie meeting a key deliverable of Our Rural Future. The Minister made the announcement at the fourth National Hub Summit today, held this year in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
The Summit serves as a platform for international and Irish speakers, hub teams,
representative bodies, state agencies and government departments to engage in discussions regarding the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network in Ireland.Alongside key strategic discussions, the event focuses on knowledge sharing, networking and developing best practice.
Minister Calleary will visit the Monksland Innovation Hub this evening in Co Roscommon.
Speaking at the summit, Minister Calleary said:
“Our Rural Future recognises the opportunity that remote working presents in terms of rejuvenating our rural towns and villages.
“I am delighted to announce that the 400th hub has been onboarded onto the Connected Hubs. Meeting this key deliverable under Our Rural Future demonstrates the Government’s commitment to remote working and to rural Ireland.
“As Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, it is important to me that those who chose to live in rural Ireland are given the chance to avail of the increased remote working opportunities that have emerged in recent years.
“The hub network not only assists with these opportunities, it is helping to sustain the population in some rural areas, revitalise town centres, reduce commuting times and improve the quality of life for people.”
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of Western Development Commission said:
"Connected Hubs began as a pilot initiative in the Western Region and has since expanded to become a national network. Reaching 400 hubs marks a significant milestone in that journey and highlights the transformative impact that this initiative is having in communities across Ireland.
“Through our partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the Western Development Commission is proud to manage the Connected Hubs Network and to support the continued growth of remote working opportunities. Together, we are helping to sustain local communities, attract talent, and strengthen regional economies, delivering on the ambitions set out in Our Rural Future."
Notes
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
Connectedhubs.ie
One of the commitments provided in Our Rural Future is to establish a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 Remote Working Hubs over the lifetime of the policy (to include a central booking platform for Connected Hub users).
Connected Hubs (www.connectedhubs.ie) is a shared online booking platform for remote working hubs and their users, which was launched in May 2021. The platform provides an interactive map showing the location and details of each remote working hub on the network and allows remotes workers to book desks and meeting rooms. There are currently 400 Remote Working Hubs live on the platform. The Western Development Commission (WDC) manage the Connected Hubs platform on behalf of DRCDG
National Hubs Strategy
A new National Hubs Strategy is currently being finalised. It will present a coherent approach and whole-of-government approach to the future development of remote working and enterprise hubs.
This strategy is being developed in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Western Development Commission and in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders, including Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Feedback from recent National Hub Summits has also informed the development of the strategy.
Western Development Commission
The Western Development Commission (WDC) is a statutory body that was established in 1997 to promote social and economic development in the Western Region (the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare). Its key areas of focus are regional development, the Western Investment Fund and policy research and development. The WDC has led the establishment and development of the Connected Hubs Network under the aegis of DRCDG.
Speakers at the Hub Summit
- Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD
- Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD (video message)
- Marina Donohoe, Enterprise Ireland
- Valerie Moreau, Head of International Networks and EU Projects, Laval Mayenne Technopole (LMT), France
- Padraig Walsh, CEO of ChangeAble Behaviour
- Kingsley Aikins, founder, the Networking Institute
- Ainslie Peters, Founder, Work Made Well
- Dimitar Inchev and Pauline Rouseel, co-founders Coworkies and co-authors Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces
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