Flexible Work Practices

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Ceisteanna (296, 297)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

296. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when proposed legislation on flexible working will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [6005/23]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

297. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation for flexible work (details supplied) will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6030/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 was included in the Government Legislative Programme for Autumn 2022 as priority legislation for drafting and publication in that session. The Bill has since passed all stages in Dáil Éireann and is currently before the Seanad at Committee Stage.

The Bill includes provisions to transpose Article 9 of the EU Work Life Balance Directive which provides for a right to request flexible working for parents and carers. Separately, the Government brought amendments to the Bill at Report Stage to incorporate the provisions of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 into this Bill.

Under the provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022, as approved by the Dáil, all employees can make a request for remote work but the right to request flexible working only extends to parents and carers, as defined under the Directive. The Government has committed, however, to reviewing these provisions after two years to consider extending the right to request flexible working to all employees.

Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 296.