Ireland's first purpose-built, fully inclusive remote working hub for people with disabilities has opened at the Crann Centre in Ballycollig, Co Cork.

The Impact@Crann hub will facilitate people with disabilities such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy to better participate in the world of work, enjoying the benefits of inclusive co-working and create business and employment opportunities.

Sponsored by AIB, Cork County Council and the Open Doors Initiative and developed in partnership with the Ballincollig Business Association and the Rubicon Centre at Munster Technological University (MTU), the hub is a fully accessible 17-desk facility with high-speed broadband.

It also has ample free parking space in a three-acre setting with a leisure space, fitness area and inclusive playground. Businesses located within the Impact Hub will benefit from tailored business supports and mentoring from Cork city and county Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and the mentoring ecosystem at the Rubicon at MTU. 

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who was unable to attend the opening after testing positive for Covid-19, said: "I’m a big fan of remote and hybrid working, and the Government want it to be a much bigger part of working life. My view is that as long as the work gets done and services to the public aren’t adversely affected, it should be facilitated.

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"The pandemic showed us what’s possible but now we need to put the structures in place to make choice, when possible, the new normal. 

"This new hub is one of hundreds we are investing in across the country. This one is different, however, in that it has been purpose-built to be as inclusive as possible. Remote working opens up opportunities for many, including those with disabilities and we need to make sure the facilities we are putting in place meet their needs.

"It’s something we all need to think about when designing any service or space. The Impact Hub will be a fantastic addition to the Ovens/Ballincollig community. Best of luck to all those involved in making it happen."

Kate Jarvey, chair and founder of the Crann Centre, added: "At a time when just 36.5% of people (aged 15-64) with a disability are at work, compared to 72.8% of people without a disability it is important that we all take proactive steps to bring about change. 

"Here at Crann, with the generous support and commitment of our partners, we have developed our Impact Hub with the aim of ensuring that people with disabilities in this region have the opportunity to participate in the new world of work which is about co-working, collaboration and remote working."

Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB, said the bank was "delighted to help An Crann and its partners create a purpose-built facility which is accessible to people with disabilities and supports them in realising their career ambitions."

Lord Mayor Cork Cllr Colm Kelleher said the council was pleased to support the project while the Mayor of Cork County Cllr Gillian Coughlan said the Cork Local Enterprise Office team could provide specialised supports to help businesses and individuals "grow and thrive".

"Inclusivity makes sense for all of us but more so for people who are excluded because of their disability. This Impact Hub is a very practical initiative to build inclusion in the workplace, which we fully support," she added.

"As a business NGO whose members have an ethos of inclusivity and diversity, we are delighted to assist in this work and offer opportunities to people with disabilities to fully partake in the workforce," Open Doors Initiative CEO Jeanne McDonagh said.

"The Impact Hub creates an equitable space for everyone in employment and we look forward to its success."

Finally, MTU president Prof Maggie Cusack said the university was "delighted" to partner with the Impact Hub to deliver inclusive, regional entrepreneurship supports that would give "all members of society to have the opportunity to explore their dreams in this new entrepreneurial setting. 

"Already the partnership has provided opportunities for the Crann Centre, MTU and the Rubicon to work together on the Impact Hub and the Innovation Challenge."

(Pic: Impact@Crann/Facebook)