Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is important to say that even pre-pandemic, notwithstanding the unemployment rate related to the pandemic at the moment, we had a very broad unemployment rate of just below 18%. That included people who would have liked to work but could not because of various structural issues in their lives, such as caring responsibilities or a disability. A move by some companies towards a four-day week would certainly encourage more of these people to seek work, which is very important.

My other question is on the conversation taking place in other countries. Mr. O'Connor and IBEC representatives spoke about the trials within certain companies in other countries. We had a discussion on the conversations in other countries and the legislative or other supports that could potentially be put in place. It was mentioned that the right to disconnect and the right to flexible working are coming down the tracks because of an EU directive. Are there other initiatives that could be taken at state level to encourage companies to take up a four-day week and set boundaries around it, so it is not just five days compressed into four, or people working all hours of the day, even if they are formally only working four days? What conversations have taken place in other countries about this?