Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to facilitate hybrid working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43823/21]
View answerMy Department is currently driving the implementation of the National Remote Work Strategy. Published on January 15th, 2021, the Strategy aims to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace, in order to maximise its economic, social and environmental benefits.The Strategy contains 15 actions to progress remote work into the future, organised into three pillars and underpinning conditions: These pillars are:
1. Create a Conducive Environment
2. Develop and Leverage a Remote Work Infrastructure
3. Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework
Each action has been attributed to lead actors for delivery and each action is scheduled to be delivered by Q1, 3, or 4 of this year. Lead actors report progress on the actions to the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Remote Work. This IDG has met three times to date this year, most recently on September 7th. At these meetings it has been established that good progress has been made in achieving most actions by their deadlines. The IDG will meet again in November to further drive the implementation of the strategy. The strategy reflects the Government’s wider commitment to create more flexible and family-friendly working arrangements which will benefit both employees and employers. In April, the Workplace Relations Commission published the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect which will help employees to strike a better work-life balance and to switch off from work outside of normal working hours. The code is flexible and gives employees more options to work outside of traditional hours. It also reflects the fact that many Irish employees are part of a global network, requiring contact with colleagues around the world at different times.On May 31st, the Department of Rural and Community Development launched Ireland’s National Hub Network, ConnectedHubs.ie. This was followed on July 22nd with the announcement of €8.8 million in funding for 117 projects across Ireland as part of the Connected Hubs Call. This investment will contribute to the ongoing development of the National Hub Network, which already includes 134 hubs and will grow on a phased basis to over 400 hubs throughout the country.On June 28th, my Department launched the ‘Making Remote Work’ campaign across broadcast, print and social media to promote the Guidance for Working Remotely webpage. This webpage acts as a central access point for employers and employees and brings together the existing State guidance, legislation and advice on remote work into one place. The webpage includes an Employer Checklist to provide employers with a quick way to successfully navigate the adoption of remote working arrangements. The ‘Making Remote Work’ campaign is continuing, and the Government is encouraging workers and employers to discuss the kinds of remote working arrangements that may be suitable for their organisations.As part of creating an environment conducive to remote work, my Department will soon legislate for the right for employees to request remote work. The report of the submissions received during the public consultation on the proposed measure was published on August 20th, and a working group has been established to draft the General Scheme of the Bill which will be presented to Government as soon as possible. Taken together, I am confident that all these actions will help promote remote work and facilitate hybrid working in a way that benefits both workers and employers.
