The Government plans to offer relocation grants to encourage people to move out of cities, but is unable to say how much the grant will be worth.
It's part of a new rural development proposal that views the pandemic and a move to remote working as a major opportunity for rural Ireland.
Our Rural Future is promising 400 remote working hubs nationwide, pilot co-working and hot-desking hubs for public servants in regional towns with a view to 20% remote working in the public sector in 2021, with further annual increases over the next 5 years.
It will also fund the repurposing of vacant buildings in town centres into remote working hubs and review the tax arrangements for remote working for both employers and employees as part of Budget 2022.
Local Minister Heather Humphreys, who launched the plan, says she's examining relocation schemes in the US:
Meanwhile, Roscommon Galway TD Denis Naughten, who is Chair of the Dáil's Rural Affairs Committee, says while it's a good plan, there needs to be action, and that hasn't even happened on the issue of post offices:
