I call on Leitrim County Council to prepare a
County wide plan/study identifying suitable remote working hubs
through our numerous enterprise and community based buildings. An
audit of these would identify ‘black spots’ across the
county for such facilities and a plan can then be developed through
a feasibility study to identify where working hubs are required and
need to be developed to ensure most communities can offer this
service to people who can work locally without commuting to places
like Dublin or other large cities. The recent budget identified
this area for funding and Leitrim needs to respond positively with
a plan.
Minutes:
"I call on Leitrim County Council to prepare a County wide plan/study identifying suitable remote working hubs through our numerous enterprise and community based buildings. An audit of these would identify ‘black spots’ across the county for such facilities and a plan can then be developed through a feasibility study to identify where working hubs are required and need to be developed to ensure most communities can offer this service to people who can work locally without commuting to places like Dublin or other large cities. The recent budget identified this area for funding and Leitrim needs to respond positively with a plan."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The opportunities for remote working within the County is receiving attention in a number of ways. The Council is in the latter stages of preparing a Digital Strategy and the activation of the economy and opportunities for increasing jobs and remote working will form part of this strategy. In the meantime important steps are being taken to improve the options offered by the various enterprise centres/hubs in the County. The Leitrim Enterprise Fund will be tendering soon for the expansion of the HIVE in Carrick on Shannon. As part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC), Leitrim has contributed to an Enterprise Hubs Strategy for the region. This includes an audit of Leitrim hubs, a classification of the hubs and a review of their development needs.
Leitrim County Council’s Atlantic Economic Corridor Officer will focus on supporting the hubs development through collaborative marketing, the hubs outreach scheme (grant funding), investment in technology (online booking system) and developing the supports that the hubs offer to clients. Remote workers are a key opportunity for hubs and the planned marketing campaign will target this client segment. The Hubs involved are as follows:
• Kinlough Business Hub
• Drumkeerin Enterprise Centre
• Ballinamore Area Community Enterprise Units
• Ballinamore Enterprise Centre
• Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre
• Drumshanbo Food hub
• Manor Hub
• Mohill Enterprise Centre
• The Hive, Carrick on Shannon
• W8 Centre, Manorhamilton
Leitrim County Council is also progressing the Broadband Connection Points initiative throughout the county and many of these centres will facilitate remote working. To further enhance the offering of the BCP’s the Council successfully secured Town and Village funding to help provide the necessary IT equipment and infrastructure for some of these facilities. The locations to be supported are Aghanlish, Askill, Aughavas, Aughawillan , Drumeela,Gortlettragh, Killanummery and Killargue.Town and Village money has recently assisted with investment in Drumkeeran hub through the active work of the local voluntary group.
Separately, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has conducted a public consultation to inform the delivery of guidance on remote working for both employers and employees. The consultation closed in August and it is expected the findings will be published soon."
Cllr Enda McGloin welcomed the reply. He outlined that with the correct office space and broadband infrastructure in place we can actively market our County and entice people to move to Leitrim to be able to work remotely in business hubs and enterprise centres. He acknowledged the work being done by the Local Authority in this regard.
Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion. She advised there is work ongoing in relation to the provision of a hub in the enterprise centre in Drumkeeran. She suggested the new Library in Dromahair would also be an ideal location for a hub.
Cllr Padraig Fallon supported the motion, he advised it is very important that the Local Authority continue to progress these initiatives.
Cllr Felim Gurn supported the motion and informed the meeting that there is office space available in the credit union building in Manorhamilton, which would be another possible hub.
Cllr Sean McGowan supported the motion highlighting the attractiveness of Leitrim as a place to live and work.
Cllr Justin Warnock supported the motion and thanked Leitrim County Council for their work in facilitating the community hub in Kinlough.
Cllr Enda Stenson commended the work that has been done in the Enterprise Centre in Mohill and advised there needs to be a collaborative approach to achieve quality broadband across the County.
Cllr Des Guckian stated that hubs and community points are inadequate and do not serve the needs of people who want to work from home.
Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn complemented the Local Authority on the provision of Broadband in the Community Hall in Gortletteragh, which is now being used as a classroom.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said that available facilities will be promoted so people are aware of the facilities. He added that blended working arrangements where people can work from home or from a hub nearby is to the fore front with employers now. There will be 18 locations across the County that will be able to facilitate remote working.