Over 80% of homes have a remote working hub within 10km – Currie

Over 80% of homes across the country currently have access to a remote working hub within 10km, as a result of the Government’s investment in the Connected Hubs network, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Emer Currie, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Work/Life Balance, said, “Remote working is a game-changer. Female participation in the workforce is at a record high for example. In order to ensure everyone can reap the rewards of remote working however, workers across the country must have access to suitable facilities in their communities. While there is undoubtedly more work still to do, we are beginning to see this take shape.

“The Government’s investment in rolling out remote working facilities across the country is paying off, as 82% of homes are less than 10km away from a hub, as of February 2022. In addition, almost 60% of dwellings are within less than 5km of a hub, while the average distance from a home to hub is 5.6km.

“Workers in urban areas have the shortest distances to travel; on average, houses in Cork city are 1.6km from a hub, while those living in Galway city have 2.1km to travel.

“In Dublin 15 we have just opened a new Connected Hub, Base in Mulhuddart, and I am working to secure more such hubs for suburban villages across the country.

“However, remote working hubs are also very important to rural communities. Fine Gael not only want to keep people in rural Ireland, but we also want to see people having the option of returning back to live and work in their local communities.

“Our Connected Hubs initiative is bringing together over 400 remote working facilities as part of one single network, which will be supported by the app, Connected Hubs.

“Fine Gael is building stronger, safer communities by investing in workers and families. Regional job creation is crucial to that as it revitalises towns and villages across the country. This week the CSO reported that employment has grown in all regions. Our investment is paying off, but we must continue with it.”