Rural Ireland

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces the 26 towns to benefit from €2.6 million fund to enhance streetscapes and shopfronts

Each town to receive €100,000 as part of the Streetscape Initiative
Projects to include upgrades to building facades, artwork, murals, lighting, street furniture and canopies
Investment to help make our rural towns more colourful, vibrant and attractive places
Local authorities to begin advertising immediately; Local businesses and retailers encouraged to apply

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the 26 towns and villages that will benefit from a €2.6 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts.

Under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

The overall purpose of the Scheme is to give our towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.

Minister Humphreys today announced the 26 towns that have been selected for funding with each local authority to receive €100,000 as part of the Initiative.

The Minister today urged businesses, property owners and retailers in the 26 towns to apply to their local authority to avail of funding.

The 26 towns due to receive the funding were selected by each local authority in consultation with local businesses and community groups.

Local authorities will manage the initiative locally and will be advertising for applications in the coming weeks.

The initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future and will make our rural towns and villages more vibrant and attractive places to live, work and visit.

The types of projects that could be supported include:

Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings and/or shopfronts in vibrant colours
Upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts
Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes
Installation of canopies
Murals/public artwork

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-7736843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

Photo Caption:

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, standing in front of the Patrick Kavanagh Mural in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The project was funded under the Department’s Streetscapes Initiative.

The towns where this measure will be delivered are as follows:

County Council	Town
Carlow County Council	Bagenalstown
Cavan County Council	Ballyconnell
Clare County Council	Lisdoonvarna
Cork County Council	Bandon
Donegal County Council	Lifford
Fingal County Council	Rush
Galway County Council	Tuam
Kerry County Council	Tarbert
Kildare County Council	Athy
Kilkenny County Council	Callan
Laois County Council	Abbeyleix
Leitirm County Council	Carrick On Shannon
Limerick County Council	Foynes
Longford County Council	Granard
Louth County Council	Omeath
Mayo County Council	Ballyhaunis
Meath County Council	Trim
Monaghan County Council	Clones
Offaly County Council	Clara
Roscommon County Council	Ballinlough
Sligo County Council	Enniscrone
Tipperary County Council	Tipperary Town
Waterford County Council	Tallow
Westmeath County Council	Kilbeggan
Wexford County Council	Enniscorthy
Wicklow County Council	Newtownmountkennedy

August 30, 2022

10th Annual Green Ribbon Walk and Talk Campaign

IFA President Tim Cullinan has encouraged families to attend and support the Green Ribbon walks organised by IFA in partnership with See Change, Coillte, and Mental Health Ireland in support of the Green Ribbon campaign.

Eleven walks have been organised in venues throughout the country during August and September as part of the annual Green Ribbon campaign. The campaign aims to spread awareness about all mental health difficulties to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said, “It has been a difficult year for many farmers with increasing demands and rising input costs contributing to a lot of additional stress and strain on many farm families. The Green Ribbon walks provide an opportunity for friends, families and communities to connect”.

IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair Alice Doyle said that this year marks the 10^th year that IFA have been involved in the Green Ribbon walks.

“The nature of farming results in many farmers prioritising farm productivity over their own mental health. The Green Ribbon walks provide an opportunity for farmers and rural communities to take time out from their work and socialise with others outdoors.”

This year’s campaign was launched by Mary Butler, Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health.

“It is important that there are more conversations to challenge the stigma around mental health, especially in the farming community. Rural isolation and loneliness are real issues and these walks help to strengthen connections within the wider community.”

Managing Director at Coillte Mark Carlin said “Coillte is delighted to continue their support again this year for the Green Ribbon – Let’s Talk & Walk initiative. The health benefits to both our physical and mental wellness from contact with forests and nature is well established and this initiative aims to encourage everyone to get outdoors and use our forests, trails and recreation parks as a place to focus on improving our mental wellness, a challenge we all face in this increasingly fast paced and hectic world.”

“Coillte is very proud to able to host a number of the events around the country to help raise public awareness of mental health and encourage everyone to begin to talk about or support others in acknowledging and coping with the challenges they may be facing. I hope that everyone enjoys a walk in one of the many outstanding forest venues for this event and encourages their friends and family to participate.”

Martin Rogan CEO at Mental Health Ireland welcomed this year’s campaign saying “Mental Health Ireland is delighted to partner with the IFA and See Change on this invitation to ‘Walk and Talk’ – taking a moment to talk and listen can help to get things in perspective, reduce isolation and to see new solutions and options – Simply making some time to being a good friend and neighbour can, make an extraordinary difference and protects everybody’s mental health”.

Barbara Brennan, See Change team leader said, At See Change, we recognise the importance of supporting local communities to talk more openly about mental health.

“You don’t have to be an expert or have all the answers; simply wearing the Green Ribbon shows that you are open to having a conversation about mental health. These walks give farmers and members of rural communities a fantastic space for people to build connections, share knowledge about local support services, and take time out of our busy schedules to enjoy nature, while normalising conversations about mental health.”

August 10, 2022

AIB Have Abandoned More Farming and Rural Customers

IFA Farm Business National Chair Rose Mary McDonagh says the banking sector is again abandoning the farming community and rural Ireland in the wake if AIB’s decision to withdraw cash services in 70 branches across the country.

The recent announcement that 40% will no longer be offering cash and cheque services at the counter, or through machines inside the branch by 21st October. No form of cash transactions including notes, coins, cheques, foreign exchange, bank drafts; drop safes; night safes or external ATM’s will be available at these branch locations. When you add this to the already cashless AIB branches, that’s more than half of the 170 AIB branch network that will be cashless in the coming months.

“At what point does a bank become irrelevant? AIB must be sailing close to the wind at this stage for Irish farmers and rural dwellers,” Rose Mary McDonagh said.

AIB’s reasoning for this is reduced demand for cash and cheque services, and the huge rise in digital banking.

“How else could demand be anything other than down with Covid-19 lock-downs gripping the country for the last number of years and the Banks closing branches or withdrawing services left, right and centre,” the IFA Farm Business National Chair added.

“It just suits their wider agenda and if past history tells you anything the move is probably only a precursor to eventual branch closures, which must not be allowed happen,” she said.

“The Central Bank, and indeed Government given that AIB is a majority state-owned bank, need to intervene now to protect economic activity and the social fabric of rural towns, villages and its citizens.”

“Offloading bank services to An Post just isn’t acceptable. Don’t get me wrong, having An Post and the Credit Union’s there to pick up the pieces as AIB abandon rural communities indeed certainly helps, but many of their offices just aren’t set up for traditional banking interactions,” she said.

Significant investment and added resources will be needed to more fully support the farming community, and I’m not only talking here in terms of capital investment in their infrastructure/network to facilitate more secure/private financial transitions, but also improved financial offering to the SME market and in turn a competitive nature.

“There is huge financial pressure, uncertainty and worry among farmers at the minute. Farmers across all sectors are being hit by an array of spiralling input costs, which are eroding already low margins for most. Farmers need to know that their financial provider is there for them when needed and that they have a range of low-cost finance options to meet their personal and business financial needs.”

“In the past, farmers could rely on localised in-branch knowledge and expertise. Now, you’d hardly know anyone in the bank. Bank officials don’t know farmers or understand their business either. If you are not on hold on the phone for hours, your driving miles to your nearest branch now and this is unacceptable.”

“The diminished level of competition, and indeed traditional service provision, is a particular cause of concern – particularly among our most elderly and vulnerable members. Banking is a hassle now for many,” Rose Mary McDonagh concluded.

Ends.

July 21, 2022

New Voucher Scheme for Remote Working Hubs goes live

At least 10,000 hot desk days to be provided free of charge
Register for your vouchers at ConnectedHubs.ie

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, recently announced that the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme has gone live.

At least 10,000 hot desk working days will be provided free of charge over the course of the Scheme, which is aimed at both existing hub users, as well as those accessing hub facilities for the first time.

It is intended that the scheme will run over two phases. Phase one will run from now until August 31st with the second phase starting in September and expected to run into early 2023.

Initially, the first phase sees three vouchers been credited to the accounts of all registered ConnectedHubs.ie users, with each voucher redeemable for a day’s hot-desk working in participating hubs.

Anybody wishing to register for their free vouchers can do so online at www.connectedhubs.ie or via the ConnectedHubs mobile app.

Minister Humphreys said:

“The census figures released last week show population growth in every county with some of the largest increases happening in rural counties like Longford and Leitrim. This bucks previous trends where we have seen some rural counties experience population decline.

“The fact is there are now more people living and working in rural Ireland than ever before.

“Through the implementation of Our Rural Future and the continued drive towards remote working, I want to ensure we continue these positive trends for the benefit of our rural communities.

“The Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme will allow people to try out their local hub for free and I believe many will see it is a much better option for them than working from the kitchen table or facing a long commute.

“They may also decide that the hubs in our wonderful regional towns and villages would make the option of relocating, or moving home, a viable one.”

Ends

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]gov.ie

June 28, 2022

€700,000 to Support the Return of Agricultural Shows in 2022

Minister Humphreys announces €700,000 to support the return of Agricultural Shows in 2022

Funding to support shows in Rural Ireland that were impacted by Pandemic
Return of Shows to provide big boost to rural economies this Summer

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced €700,000 in funding to support Agricultural Shows taking place over the coming months.

The Minister made the announcement during a keynote address at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show Sponsors Night on Wednesday.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“For over two and a half years, we lost something that really sums up everything that is good about rural Ireland.

“As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I know that our Shows are intrinsically linked to that sense of community that Rural Ireland is all about.

“It is fantastic to see the return of our Shows this summer and I am particularly pleased to announce funding of €700,000 will be made available by my Department to support our Show Committees the length and breadth of the country.”

Minister Humphreys added:

“I believe it is of vital importance to our rural communities that we support the efforts of the show committees and the work of their volunteers. I hope that this funding will help put the shows on a firmer financial footing and provide vital support to the committees. I’m delighted to support the Irish Shows Association and like many others I look forward to getting out and about and visiting our Shows this summer.”

The shows are key dates in the rural calendar and central points for the agri-food industry, farming community and local artisan producers. Key dates over the coming weeks include Middleton (29^th May), Belgooly (4^th June), Ballyconneely Performance Pony Show (4^th June), Ennistymon (5^th June), Westport Horse and Pony Show (6^th June), Leap Horse and Pony Show (6^th June), Ballivor Horse Show (12^th June), Dundalk (12^th June), Claregalway (12^th June), Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show (12^th June) and Clonakilty (12^th June).

Minister Humphreys also wished the organisers of the Tullamore Show well as they prepare for the return of the popular event on August 14^th.

Welcoming the announcement, Catherine Gallagher, National President Irish Shows Association stated:

“As National President of the Irish Shows Association I warmly welcome Minister Heather Humphreys’ and her Department’s continuing support with 125 shows set to benefit. There is no doubt costs have increased this year, it’s great to have this support and we are also grateful for the support the Department gave us through the pandemic. The showing season has already started and I have attended four shows and the feedback from committees is their entries have doubled and the attendance has greatly increased. The sense of anticipation is palpable and from my experience to date I have no doubt this year will be very busy for committees up and down the country. The upcoming events will add a little colour to the summer”

ENDS

Image: Pictured with Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD, Tullamore Show Secretary Chelsey Cox McDonald and Chairperson, Joseph Molly at the 2022 Tullamore Show Sponsor Night.

Editors Notes

The Department of Rural and Community Development funding is administered by the Irish Shows Association (ISA). The ISA is the official recognised body representing Irish Agricultural Shows on the island of Ireland. It has more than 130 affiliated agricultural shows, which run throughout the summer and into the autumn each year. A full listing of participating Shows is published online https://www.irishshows.org/home

May 27, 2022

New €15 million Community Centre Fund

Grants of between €10,000 and €300,000 available for upgrade and refurbishment works to Community Centres

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, recently announced a new €15 million capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the Country.

The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups with the upgrade and development of their Community Centre facilities.

Funding will be available under 3 Categories with grants of between €10k and €300K available:

Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities – €10,000 to €25,000.

Category 2: Larger scale projects – €25,001 to €100,000.

Category 3: Major projects- €100,001 to €300,000.

Applications under Category 2 and 3 must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds.

Funding is available for capital works such as: –

Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
Energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems
Upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits
Works to improve disability access
Improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as Meals for the Elderly & youth facilities
Works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries
Essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, etc

There will be a two-stage application process with applicants asked to register their organisation in advance of the formal application process going live.

Registration will open on Tuesday 3^rd May 2022, applicants need to register as ‘users’ on the portal in advance of the application process opening on Tuesday 7^th June 2022. The closing date for applications is Thursday 14^th July 2022.

The Department will be hosting a number of online information events in May and June 2022 to provide guidance in relation to the application process and details will be released in due course.

Guidelines and a sample application form are now available at www.gov.ie/drcd.

Community Groups are urged to familiarise themselves with the application process and criteria well in advance of submitting their application.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:

“Community Centres are at the heart of every community in Ireland, rural and urban.

“We need places for people to meet up, to play sport and engage in all sorts of activities whether it is meals for the elderly, indoor soccer or basketball, or providing a space for the local dramatic society to perform.

“This new fund is about supporting them to carry out vital upgrade works as well as enhancing the services and amenities they can provide to persons of all ages in their community.

“I am encouraging all community groups to look at this fund and think about how they can use it to improve their own local parish hall or community centre. Do you need new windows or doors? Does the stage or sound system need to be upgraded? Could you look at developing space for a Youth Hub or Community Cinema?

“Community Centres are all about bringing people together in a locality. As Minister, I want to ensure Community Centres continue to be at the heart of our local parishes, towns and villages.

Also welcoming the Funding, Minister of State Joe O’Brien TD said:

“The newly announced Community Centres Investment Fund, will play a large part in supporting the development of Community Centres throughout the country both in rural and urban areas, allowing people to engage with their communities and the supports available. That is why I am committed to supporting the Community & Voluntary sector to maximise its impact in communities throughout Ireland.”

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

April 26, 2022

€150m Package of Supports for Rural Communities

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys unveils €150 million package of supports for rural communities

New €15 million fund to upgrade and refurbish community centres
Major focus on Remote Working through initiatives such as Connected Hubs and Town and Village Renewal Scheme
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to tackle vacancy and dereliction
Significant investment in our walkways, trails, rivers and lakes under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Over 300 stakeholders attend special online webinar to hear full details of rural funding schemes
Unprecedented Investment underpinned by the Our Rural Future and Town Centre First Policies
Calendar of all Funding Schemes published to allow Community Groups to plan ahead
Focus on ambitious projects which make a lasting impact to Communities

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, recently outlined a package of over €150 million designed to transform rural towns, villages and communities throughout 2022.

New Community Centre Fund

This new capital Fund will invest €15 million in the upgrade and refurbishment of community buildings across the country so that thousands of people of all ages can benefit. Under the Fund groups and organisations based in both rural and urban communities can apply for grants ranging from €10,000 to €300,000.

Application forms will be available online in the coming weeks

Announcing the new initiative, Minister Humphreys said:

“If the Pandemic taught us one thing, it’s that we all have discovered the true meaning of ‘community’.

“That’s why I am delighted today to announce the new ‘Community Centres Investment Fund 2022.

“I am making available €15 million which will support the refurbishment and upgrade of community buildings across the country.

“Does your local Community Centre or Parish Hall need an upgrade or facelift?

Does your local community need financial support to carry out fire safety or other necessary repair works? Then this Fund is designed to support you.

“The new Fund will provide grants for small and large-scale projects and help us to provide focal points for communities as they come back together. I will publish details on how local community groups can apply for this funding later this month”

Focus for 2022

Regeneration projects in rural areas that focus on economic growth, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres. The ‘Boyle 2040 Project’ was given as a good example of the type of project that could be replicated. Boyle 2040 was previously allocated €4.3 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The project shows how regeneration funding can be accessed if a locally driven tailored plan is developed;
Remote Working and connectivity. This will include further developing the Connected Hubs Network for remote working, adding to the existing 900 free WiFi4EU hotspots around the country, bringing more publicly accessible Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) online.
Outdoor Amenities. A continued focus on investing in our unique amenities such as our walkways, trails, lakes, mountains, blueways and greenways. Under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, there will be unprecedented investment in outdoor tourism – supporting activities such as kayaking, cycling, mountaineering, surfing and paragliding.
Projects that help communities to bounce back from the pandemic by providing focal points for community activities. This will be done under the likes of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the new Community Centre Investment Fund.

“The capital funding programmes outlined today, including the newly announced Community Centres Investment Fund, are complemented by a suite of ongoing and planned current funded programmes which play a large part in supporting those living in communities, and in many cases ensuring that it is possible for people to engage with these capital supports. There is little point in having great infrastructure if there are not the people using those facilities to deliver the many community & voluntary programmes and schemes across the country. That is why I am committed to supporting the Community & Voluntary sector to maximise its impact in communities throughout Ireland.”

Timetable for rural and community investment programmes

Rural Development Schemes

2022 Open

2022 Closing

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF)

Supports large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

More information available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/05bfe-rural-regeneration-and-development-fund/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=rural-regeneration-and-development

Category 1 – currently open (Large-scale capital projects which are ready to commence on the date of application).

Category 2 – To open in August

(Seed capital funding for

strategic, large-scale projects)

Closes on 29th April

Category 2, closes in Q 4

Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais (CLÁR)

Provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas.

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (MUGAs, Playgrounds, etc)
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
Measure 3: “Our Islands”

More information available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=small-scale-rural-projects-clar

Opened 24th February

Measure 1 & Measure 3, close on 6th May

Measure 2, closes on 8th April

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)

Provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. (Adventure Tourism type projects, Blueways, Walking Trails, Boardwalks, etc)

Measure 1 for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000,
Measure 2 for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,
Measure 3 for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and
Project Development Measure funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects.

More information available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/d14e1-outdoor-recreation-infrastructure-scheme/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=outdoor-recreation-infrastructure-scheme

Opened 18th February

Measure 1 & Project Development Measure to close on 19th April

Measure 2 & Measure 3 to close on 25th May

Town and Village Renewal Scheme Connected Hubs Call

Development of remote working facilities joining the National Connected Hubs Network

More information available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/16b47-connected-hubs-fund/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=connected-hubs-fund

Opened 21st February

Closes on 4th April

Local Improvement Scheme

Provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and

non-publicly maintained roads

More information available at

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/b03384-local-improvement-scheme-lis/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=local-road-improvement

Allocations to Local Authorities in March

Managed by Local Authorities

Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Streetscapes

Support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts

Information available when launched

Scheduled to open end of March

Managed by Local Authorities in consultation with communities, town teams and businesses

Town and Village Renewal

Scheme

Designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages. (Regeneration of old buildings, development of town parks, etc)

More information available at

https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/01125e-town-and-village-renewal-scheme/

Scheduled to open in April

Closes end of June

Social Enterprise Schemes

2022 Open

2022 Closing

Dormant Accounts Fund Social Enterprise – Capital Supports

Provides capital grants for the scaling up of social

Enterprises

More information on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/624c74-social-enterprise/#funding-and-supports-for-social-enterprises

Scheduled to open in early May

Closes in late June

Community Schemes

2022 Open

2022 Closing

Community Centres Investment

Fund

An annual capital grants programme for the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres.

More information on launch

Scheduled to open in March

Category 1 closes on 30th June

Category 2 & 3 close on 31st July

Empowering Communities Fund

A new targeted scheme to address area based disadvantage

More information on launch

Scheduled to open end April

Community Activities Fund

Small scale grants to assist community groups

More information on launch

Operated by LCDCs

Closing dates vary – contact your LCDC

March 23, 2022

Series of Initiatives Announced to Support Remote Working

Workers can now book desk space in their local hub via new Mobile App
200 hubs on connected hubs network – making Remote Working a reality for thousands
National Awareness Campaign launched to promote the benefits of working from a Hub in your community
€5 million Connected Hubs Fund to enhance Remote Working facilities

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has recently announced a number of major new initiatives that will support Remote Working across the country.

For the first time, workers will now be able to book office or desk space in their local hub through a new mobile app called Connected Hubs.

Minister Humphreys also announced €5 million in funding, through the Connected Hubs 2022 Call, which will be used to build capacity and enhance existing Remote Working facilities.

These initiatives will be underpinned by a major new National Awareness Campaign, designed to promote the many benefits of choosing your local hub for your working day. The Awareness Campaign will be run by the Department of Rural and Community Development with the support of the Western Development Commission (WDC).

Minister Humphreys also revealed today that the number of Remote Working facilities on the Connected Hubs Network will exceed 200 this week. This represents over half of the 400 hubs pledged as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s landmark rural development policy.

Announcing the series of initiatives at the Mill Enterprise Centre in Drogheda, Co Louth, Minister Humphreys said:

“If COVID-19 has taught us one thing – it’s that the benefits of Remote Working are huge.

“Less time spent commuting. A lower carbon footprint. More time spent with family and friends. But above all – a better quality of life.

“Over the past two years, we have embarked on a mission never seen before. My Department has invested €100million in the development of remote working facilities in our towns and villages nationwide.

“Across Ireland, we have taken many old and derelict buildings and re-purposed them into state-of-the-art Remote Working facilities.

“Former banks, cinemas, garda stations, convents and train stations have become local digital hubs.

“In addition we have provided funding to upgrade and enhance existing hub facilities.

“These are now part of a new network called ‘Connected Hubs’ – which is at the forefront of our efforts to make Remote Working a reality for tens of thousands of workers.”

Minister Humphreys concluded:

“Thankfully we are now beginning to return to normal life, but that does not mean we should go back to the old normal – the days of the long commute, sitting in traffic when you could be spending that time with your family and friends.

“Equally not everybody wants to or has the space to work from home permanently. The kitchen table or your bedroom is not a permanent solution. If you want a clear line of where work-life ends and family-life begins – then working from your local hub is the solution for you.

“Today, I am also specifically encouraging employers and businesses to look at the facilities available through Connected Hubs when developing their future plans for blended or hybrid working. These hubs can enable your staff to work in a safe, secure environment with high-speed broadband and all the necessary office equipment available to them.

“Over the coming weeks, my Department will embark on a major awareness campaign to highlight the benefits of Connected Hubs for both workers and employers”.

Connected Hubs Mobile App

The launch of the connected hubs mobile app will allow users to find their nearest hub facility and easily book a desk space using their mobile device. The Connected Hubs mobile app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android.

€5million Connected Hubs Call 2022

The primary objective of the Connected Hubs Call 2022, which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is to support and complement the development of the National Hub Network, which is a key action of the Rural Development Policy – Our Rural Future and also the National Remote Working Strategy – Making Remote Work. The Connected Hubs Call 2022 aims to add additional capacity to the existing remote working infrastructure in Ireland by upgrading existing hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). This funding is in addition to €8.8million provided for 117 remote working projects across the country in 2021.

Details of the Connected Hubs 2022 Call are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/16b47-connected-hubs-fund/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/?section=connected-hubs-fund

February 22, 2022

€15 million Fund to support Outdoor Adventure Activities

Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to provide major boost to rural tourism
€15 million fund to develop our mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, forest walks, blueways, greenways and bridleways
Focus on supporting adventure activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling
Funded in partnership with Fáilte Ireland

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has launched a major €15 million fund that will support dozens of outdoor adventure projects across the country.

The 2022 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will see the development of natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, walkways, greenways and blueways.

The Scheme, which saw its funding increased by Minister Humphreys as part of the Budget, will place a particular focus on developing adventure tourism in Rural Ireland.

It will support activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling, which were especially popular among families throughout the Pandemic.

Today’s announcement builds on the commitment under “Our Rural Future” to continuing the investment in infrastructure that caters for the growth in both local and international outdoor adventure tourism.

The projects that will be supported under ORIS are designed to benefit the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they are located.

The 2022 scheme will provide investment ranging from €30,000 for small scale projects and up to €500,000 for large scale projects. This is an alteration on last year’s scheme, which provided funding ranging from €20,000 instead of €30,000.

The Scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and projects applications will be accepted under the following Measures:

Measure 1 for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000,
Measure 2 for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,
Measure 3 for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and
Project Development Measure funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects

Examples of activities which applicants should have in mind when submitting applications for the 2022 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) include:

Land-Based	Water-Based	Air-Based
Walking	Canoeing/ Kayaking/SUP	Paragliding
Hillwalking/Hiking	Rowing	Hang-gliding
Leisure Cycling	Open Water Swimming including Tidal Pools
Mountain Biking	Surfing
Equestrian Trails	Coasteering
Trail/Off-road Running	Wind surfing/Kite Surfing
Orienteering	Sailing
Bouldering, Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering	Diving

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2022, provides funding as follows:

Measure 1 –
- Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing.
- Funding of up to €30,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Maximum of 7 applications can be submitted by each Local Authority.
- Maximum of 3 applications (increased from 2 in 2020) can be submitted by each Local Development Company.
Measure 2 –
- Medium scale repair/upgrade and new trail/amenity development.
- Funding of up to €200,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Maximum of 3 applications can be submitted by each Local Authority.

Measure 3 –
- Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development
- Funding of up to €500,000 at a 90% rate of aid
- Local Authorities and State Bodies can submit 1 application each under this Measure.

Project Development Measure –
- Detailed development of projects which would enable them to reach a standard for application under Measure 2 or 3 of ORIS.
- Local Authorities and State Bodies can submit two application each under this Measure.

Full details are available in the Scheme Outline available https://www.gov.ie/en/service/d14e1-outdoor-recreation-infrastructure-scheme/

February 18, 2022

IFA to Meet Asst Commissioner from An Garda Síochána on Rural Crime

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said the recent attacks on elderly people in rural communities were very concerning.

IFA will be meeting the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Paula Hillman next week to discuss what measures can be taken to make communities safer.

“Whatever resources are needed to assist the Gardaí in their work have to be made available. We will be encouraging the farming community to provide whatever help they can to support the work of the Gardaí. Apprehending those responsible requires a co-ordinated response,” he said.

Brian Rushe said the victims of these attacks were targeted by gangs and subjected to horrific assaults. “Nobody should feel under threat in their own home.”

“The communities of these victims now feel vulnerable and unsafe because of the attacks. We will be working with Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman to develop community policing that gives a greater sense of security to those living in rural areas,” he said.

Ends.

February 10, 2022

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