Over €8.8 million in funding has been announced under the Connected Hubs Scheme - with 117 remote working hubs set to benefit across the country.

The funding was announced as part of the Our Rural Future plan by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys this morning (Thursday, July 22).

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.

According to the Department of Rural and Community Development, the funding will support a wide range of relevant works nationwide, 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.

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

According to the department, the funding announced by the minister includes:

Announcing the successful projects in Carlow 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.

Highlighting that the new investment will provide an increased number of families and individuals with the option to live and work in rural communities, the minister added:

"Remote working from hubs and Broadband Connection Points benefitting from this funding will also support local economies and assist in reducing our carbon emissions.”

Examples of successful projects include:

Minister Humphreys concluded, stating:

"I would urge all existing and new hubs to become members and take advantage of the ongoing supports which the network will provide.”