OVER 300 REMOTE WORKING HUBS NOW CONNECTED "The sector has to get real about bringing in a proper payment structure"

- says Dearbhla Conlon Ahern, SICAP Coordinator in West Limerick

The pressure on local development companies and other community organisations from staff leaving because of salary disparities is increasing, REPORTS KATHY MASTERSON.

The number of remote working facilities registered with connectedhubs.ie has passed the 300 mark and it was prediced that more than 10,000 remote workers would be registered with the platform by the end of 2022.

The progress was announced in Athlone, on November 24th, at the first National Hub Summit which brought together over 200 business people, hub managers, community leaders, policy makers and remote workers.

“It is hard to believe that less than three years ago, remote working was just a concept in Ireland. It’s now an everyday reality for thousands of workers and businesses,” said Minister Heather Humphreys, opening the hub summit. She announced:

• Funding of up to €50,000 for each local authority outside the capital to promote their county to attract remote workers and mobile talent.

• A pilot scheme to start in 2023 that will match employers and employees to specific hubs;

• The Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme (providing free vouchers for people to try out hubs) was extended until December 31st.

Welcoming the progress, Sean Brady, CEO of CloudAssist, called for the Government to support hybrid working “as a right so citizens have choices when deciding where they work”.

Independent TD Denis Naughten described hubs as “the safe halfway house, and the most flexible halfway house”.

Currently, a national hub strategy is in the developmental stages. It will take a whole of government approach overseen by an interdepartmental working group chaired by Mary Hurley, Secretary General of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

In Limerick, Dearbhla Conlon Ahern, SICAP Coordinator at West Limerick Resources, told 'Changing Ireland': “We are losing someone in the next few weeks. They’re going to a statutory body and we just can’t compete. I’m delighted for the person, but it’s heartbreaking for us. All the relationship building that you do, then you have to set the dial back to zero. I’m afraid I’m going to see more of this.”

She continued: “Our sector is built heavily on building relationships. We are there to deliver the national programme to the people who are facing the most barriers. It’s a journey with people. The problem is, there isn’t a value set on community development, because it’s not tangible.

“The gap between the salaries in the sectors is between about 12 and 14 per cent. The sector has to get real about bringing in a proper payment structure. We shouldn’t be a stomping ground for others (to recruit staff). Sláintecare are hoovering up quite a few, as are local authorities.”

Ms Conlon Ahern revealed that these concerns were raised with Minister Joe O’Brien when he visited West Limerick Resources in October. “Hopefully he will take heed of what we are asking. This is the bridging year between this iteration of SICAP and the next - now is the time that this needs to be done,” she remarked. Read what others across the country have to say on pages 6-7.