Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has today announced initiatives to support remote working, including a voucher scheme.
It “represents the next chapter in our remote working journey,” the Minister said.
A series of new initiatives have been announced today that aim to make remote working more accessible and attractive to many employees in Ireland.
As part of this, remote workers will be able to avail of the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme to use their local digital hub free of charge.
Over 10,000 hot desk spaces will be made available under the scheme. Both existing hub users and those accessing them for the first time can participate.
Minister Humphreys said: “As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I am serious about ensuring we don’t simply revert to the ‘old normal’ – the way of life we had before COVID-19.”
“When I meet remote workers across the country, they tell me all about the benefits of spending a few days each week working from a digital hub in their local community.”
“The Connected Hubs Voucher scheme I am announcing today will provide at least 10,000 free days at hot desks in hubs across the country.”
“It will be available to existing hub users who are already enjoy the benefits of working from a hub in their local area.”
“But it is aimed at new users too. For example, I believe this scheme will appeal to someone who has never worked for their local hub – now they can try it out for the first time for free.”
“This scheme is based on the ‘voucher follows the person’ approach and will initially provide three days of hub use per person between now and the end of August.”
She also suggested the scheme for those who may need to work whilst on a staycation in Ireland and said: “For people who may wish to holiday at home this summer, this scheme is ideal if you need to do a couple of days working in facilities that are comfortable and underpinned by good quality broadband.”
€5 million in funding has also been pledged to the Connected Hubs 2022 Call, which can be used to expand and improve existing remote working facilities. 81 projects across the country have availed of this funding.
Minister Humphreys also announced the provision of €50,000 in funding to each Local Authority under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to help with marketing campaigns in relation to remote working opportunities.
The number of remote working facilities on the Connected Hubs Network has now reached 242, which represents over 60 per cent of the 400 hubs pledged as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s landmark five year rural development policy.
The Minister confirmed that the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme will get underway in the coming weeks, and “strongly” encouraged those interested to set up a connectedhubs.ie profile.
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