Niamh Smyth
Ceist:10. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way he is helping persons to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52689/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 November 2021
Ceisteanna (10)
Freagraí scríofa
The pandemic has presented an opportunity to make a permanent change in the way we work - to make remote and blended working a much bigger part of normal working life and achieve a better work-life-balance.
In January I published the National Remote Work Strategy. Its objective is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace, in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
My officials are leading the implementation of the Strategy's actions through an Interdepartmental Group which meets on a quarterly basis. All actions have been achieved or are currently underway.
Significant achievements to date include:
- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the Workplace Relations Commission.
- A public consultation on the Right to Request Remote Work. Informed by this and by a review of international best practice, the drafting of the General Scheme of the Bill has commenced and I will be seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill this quarter.
- ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of May 2021. ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country.
- In July, €8.9m of funding was awarded through the Connected Hubs funding stream to 117 remote working hub projects. This investment will expand existing hub facilities and remote working infrastructure.
- In October, 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.
I recognise that Remote working won’t work for everyone, or for every organisation, so the Government will take a balanced approach with our proposals. We want to retain the creativity and innovation that flourishes from people meeting each other and retain the vibrancy of our city centres.
While some people will work full-time from the office, from home or from a hub, I believe most of us will be blended workers. The Government will continue working to ensure that potential becomes a reality.
Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, answered orally.