Moves to advance Roscrea's Digital Hub plan

Three years ago plans were unveiled to create a Digital Hub in Roscrea town centre, which would create almost 200 jobs. This week Minister Heather Humprhries has pledged to get the project over the line before the year's end - with extra funding to advance the project expeditiously.

Councillor Noel Coonan (FG) met with Minister Humphries and discussed potential avenues to advance the development, which was described as a 'game changer' for Roscrea and will see a property left vacant in the town centre for over a decade get a new lease of life.

The facility will be called the Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub (REACH) and in November of 2019 €1.9 million in Rural Regeneration & Development funding was announced for the creation of the digital hub - which promised 192 jobs in the heart of Roscrea. 

With an additional €225,000 contribution from Tipperary County Council, the plan was for the development of a new work place at the site of the old Tesco store in the town centre - creating office space for people to work remotely instead of commuting to larger urban centres and will also have education and training elements.

When announced three years ago it was anticipated the hub would bring an annual economic benefit of €8-million per annum to Roscrea and Cllr. Coonan said the Minister understands the importance of realising the plans for the town.

"Roscrea needs to see employment coming in and people coming into the hub. I told the Minister no stone should be left unturned now to get this up and running", Cllr. Coonan told the Tribune.

A proposal was submitted to the Department in March of this year outlining the rise in construction costs and that proposal awaits approval before the plans can proceed to the e-tender phase. Bridging finance has been secured with a term loan over 15 years and the local authority are in discussions with a local TD seeking assistance to advance the project with the assistance of a Minister.

Cllr. Coonan told the Tribune he is confident a positive update will come in the next few weeks against the backdrop of the approaching cabinet reshuffle and changeover in the rotating Taoiseach system.  

The hub will have 45 work stations supporting up to 116 jobs, as well as 16 work studios (own-door offices) that will support a further 48-64 jobs. There will also be provision of shared services to all resident businesses.

The 11,450 sq ft commercial unit is located at the rear of Roscrea Shopping Centre and has been vacant since 2011 and will have best-in-class connectivity through a one-gigabit broadband connection.  It is understood that the hub will operate six days a week from 9am to 6pm, and on Sundays also if there is demand. Tipperary Co Council granted planning permission for the development in July of 2019.

The project is a joint venture between North Tipperary Development Company and property investment and management company Tiernan Properties. A new body called REACH (Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub) CLG, a multi-agency and community initiative was established to develop the hub.