The pandemic has presented an opportunity to make a permanent change in the way we work – to make remote and flexible working a bigger part of normal working life with benefits for employers and employees.
In January 2021, my Department published the National Remote Work Strategy. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
The Strategy contains 15 actions which are focused on achieving this objective. There has been significant progress made on the actions to date. I would highlight the following:
- Following public consultation and a review of international best practice, the General Scheme of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2022 has been published following Government approval. The new law will set out a clear framework around which requesting, approving or refusing remote work can be based. Pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee will commence on the 9th of February.
-The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the Workplace Relations Commission.
-ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development in May 2021. ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country.
- The Connected Hubs Call has awarded funding of €8.9m to 117 remote working hub projects in July 2021 to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure.
- While National Broadband Plan has been impacted negatively by COVID-19, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is continuing to engage with National Broadband Ireland to address the delays that have arisen to ensure that the programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
- The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been working with employers in the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service which will be finalised in early 2022, following engagement with employee representatives.
- My Department is currently developing new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 in which there will be a focus on promoting remote working opportunities and investing in infrastructures across the nine regions.
- In October 2021, over €9.3 million in funding was awarded to projects around the country through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, with successful applicants including hubs and enterprise centres throughout the country.
- In Budget 2022, an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home was announced. It amounts to 30 percent of the cost of vouched expenses for heat, electricity and broadband.
