Calls for rate exemptions for digital remote working hubs in Mayo
A remote working conference held in Westport last week highlighted the county's standing as an optimal location for remote work.
Joanne Grehan, Director of Services with Mayo County Council, extolled the virtues of Mayo as not just a place to reside but a haven for remote professionals seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Grehan highlighted the recent nod for Castlebar and Ballina as the top contenders for remote work in Ireland, attributing their appeal to conducive environments for remote employment.
Meanwhile, Westport was singled out as the prime destination for living, with its blend of scenic beauty and conducive workspaces. Additionally, north Mayo was lauded as an adventurer's paradise, perfect for exploration and immersion in nature.
The conference shed light on the exponential growth of remote working hubs, a trend catalysed by the pandemic-induced lockdowns of 2020-2022. Many professionals have been drawn to the west of Ireland, enticed by the promise of remote work and the quality of life it affords.
However, concerns were raised regarding the fees imposed by the council on formerly derelict commercial sites housing remote workers. Alma Gallagher, a local election candidate for Fine Gael in Claremorris, spoke about the necessity for local authorities to consider rate exemptions for digital hubs in Mayo.
Gallagher, who has been instrumental in establishing hubs in the south Mayo town, stressed the pivotal role of such exemptions in supporting the burgeoning remote work infrastructure.
Stephen Carolan, head of Mayo County's digital connected hubs platform and a Belmullet native, echoed Gallagher's sentiments. He agreed on the need for dialogue with councils to relax rates for remote working hubs, as their potential to revitalise derelict sites in town centres and villages across the county.
Carolan and Gallagher highlighted the economic and communal benefits of such initiatives, but reminded the audience of the huge infrastructural cost in setting up a connected hub. Computers, wifi, furniture and renovations often mean costs run above €100,000 and an exemption from rates would help in supporting hubs into the future.