A proud day as new remote working hub in Knockmore is launched
The Knockmore Rathduff Recreation and Resource Centre has today proudly launched its new Remote Working Hub.
The hub, which was developed with the support of the Western Development Commission and Mayo North East, is a great addition to the Knockmore area and provides an excellent modern facility to those working remotely.
With the announcement from tech giants such as Twitter, Spotify and Slack that they will facilitate remote working on a permanent basis, it’s clear that the need for remote working hubs will continue to increase into the future.
Speaking about the hub, centre manager, Alma Reddington, said: “Remote working is not just a pandemic trend, it is the future for employees both in Ireland and globally.
"This is clearly reflected in government strategies such as the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and the National Remote Working Strategy.
"Remote working offers huge benefits to individuals and families giving more flexible lifestyle options, it stimulates regional development and with fewer people commuting, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
"The growth of remote working is a seismic opportunity for rural regeneration and one which we are delighted to feed into with our new Remote Working Hub.”
The Knockmore Remote Working Hub is part of the National Hubs Network, which was launched today by Minister Heather Humphreys.
The minister stated: “Remote Working is a key commitment of ‘Our Rural Future’, the most ambitious policy for Rural Ireland in decades.
“Hub working can support the development of employment opportunities and career paths in rural areas.
"This will help to give young people the choice to stay closer to home while pursuing their careers and also to encourage people living in cities to consider moving to a more rural location.”
In terms of achieving a work life balance, it appears that the Knockmore Resource Centre, which is nestled between the two major Mayo towns of Ballina, and Castlebar, certainly has plenty to offer.
With a gym, playschool and Yoga/fitness classes on site, full canteen service, surrounded by Lough Conn and within a stone’s throw of Drummin Woods – it’s an ideal location for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life to opt for remote working.
It’s clear that remote working is indeed here to stay. In a survey carried out by the Western Development Commission and NUI Galway in October 2020, it highlighted that as many as 94% of people who are now remote working, want it to continue in some form when the pandemic is over.
Welcoming the development, Mayo Deputy Alan Dillon said: “I would urge all existing or new hubs to become members of Connected Hubs.
"In addition to availing of the excellent platform and supports unveiled today, by having your details included in the National Hub Survey you can help government to identify the scale of our nation’s remote working infrastructure.
"This information will help to guide and inform future investment decisions in future.
“I would also like to remind hub managers of two funding streams which were recently launched by Minister Humphreys, the €5 million Connected Hubs fund for existing hubs and the €15 million Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will place particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in Our Rural Future.
“Throughout this pandemic, so many of us have experienced the benefits of remote working – reduced commutes, more time spent with your family, increased footfall in towns, a lower carbon footprint."
The National Hub Network Working Group led by the Department of Rural and Community Development has identified and mapped close to 400 remote working hubs across the country.
These hubs will be invited to join the Connected Hubs Network to create shared infrastructure that will deliver real benefits across the country.
A National Hub survey is currently underway to gather further information with regard to services offered by these hubs.