Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
45. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that he is taking to assist private sector employers to support employees working from home and digital co-working hubs in local towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021. The Strategy identified 15 actions to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises its economic, social and environmental benefits.
My Department led the implementation of the Strategy’s actions through an Interdepartmental Group. There has been significant progress in implementing these actions which will facilitate remote working for employers and employees both now and into the future. I would highlight the following:
- On 25th January, the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment commenced on 9th of February, with three meetings having been held to date. Officials in my Department attended a further meeting on 18 May. The intention remains that the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. Following publication of the Joint Oireachtas Committee’s Report on pre-legislative scrutiny, any recommendations made will be reviewed and considered. I want to emphasise once more that I am happy to listen to proposed amendments to the Bill.
- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the Workplace Relations Commission.
- 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.
- 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 our country. The development of the National Hub Network has been underpinned by significant investment in remote work infrastructure.
- The Connected Hubs Fund has awarded funding of €8.9m to 117 remote working hub projects in July 2021 to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure. An additional €5m in funding has been made available under the 2022 Connected Hubs Call.
- To date, a total of approximately €100m has been provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development through its various funding streams to support the development of remote working infrastructure across the country. This includes €76 million in funding for projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), many of which involved the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as enterprise centres and co-working hubs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ongoing remote work promotion and guidance including advice for employers and employees on best practice, health and safety, equality and skills by a range of agencies including the Health and Safety Authority, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Western Development Commission, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Skillnet Ireland and local Education and Training Boards.
- My Department is continuing to develop and promote its 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 is a live resource and is updated regularly. The webpage includes an Employer Checklist to provide employers with a quick way to successfully navigate the adoption of remote working arrangements.
