Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

When I read the Government’s remote work strategy that was published last year, there was a certain ambition in it on the role that flexible and remote work could play in expanding work opportunities to those who want to work but who cannot do so because of structural barriers in their lives, particularly those with a disability or disabled people and I am also thinking about lone parents. When I look at the detail of the Bill I see that you have to wait 26 weeks after taking up employment before you can even submit a request for flexible work. That is a real obstacle, particularly for those with a disability or disabled people and lone parents taking up flexible work. I would like to hear the views of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and of IBEC on that 26-week waiting period.