Kilkenny hubs snubbed in new fund to assist remote working

Kilkenny was notable by its absence from a list released by the Government this week detailing a new €5 million fund for rural economies.

The Connected Hubs Fund, launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development, will be used to expand existing digital hub facilities which is seen as being essential in this time of remote working.

But no local hubs were listed in the 66 locations around the country that will receive funding.

In fact, in the whole of the South East region just two, both in Wexford, were approved for funding. Like Kilkenny, no hubs in Carlow, Waterford or South Tipperary received money.

The connected hub fund provides funding for additional hot desks, office spaces and meeting rooms for remote working.

The funding is also to 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.