€250k Additional Government Funding for Local Digital Innovation
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Sean Canney TD, has announced additional funding of €246,294 for eight local authority-led digital initiatives, under the Department’s Digital Innovation Programme.
Further information on each of these projects is available here.
The Digital Innovation Programme is an initiative of the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is designed to encourage local authority led projects that support digital development. These projects must promote, support, or otherwise advance at least one of the following seven pillars:
- Digital Skills
- Infrastructure
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Digital Economy & Employment
- Digital Services
- Community & Culture
- Digital Transition
Projects that cut across more than one of the pillars are particularly welcome.
Minister Ring said: “I am very pleased to announce additional funding for the Digital Innovation Programme. The Programme supports local authority led projects that demonstrate clear potential for public benefit and that can be scaled up or replicated elsewhere.
“The response to the latest call for applications under the Digital Innovation Programme was particularly strong. The projects that were submitted bear testament to the level of creativity and innovation in Ireland’s communities and within our local authorities. Successful applications range from an Internet of Things (IoT) project in Donegal to infrastructure projects in Kildare and Mayo, digital familiarisation training for older people in Clare and research into digital approaches to social housing allocation in Cork, all focused on using digital resources to provide a public benefit.”
Minister Ring added: “These projects follow on from thirteen projects approved under the Digital Innovation Programme in 2018 and brings the value of funds granted under the scheme so far to more than €700,000. The potential future savings that will come from piloting these initiatives ahead of large scale rollout are significant, as are the immediate benefits for many people across Ireland.”