Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her comments. As she rightly stated, flexibility is so important for our local authority workers. They can avail of many family-friendly, supported policies that will be enhanced and continued. We are talking about career breaks, flexible working, the work-sharing scheme, parental leave, paternity leave, parent's leave, maternity leave, carer's leave and associated policies. They are so important in supporting our local authority workers.

The Deputy referred to the right to disconnect. That, in tandem with what the Tánaiste is trying to progress in respect of remote working in his Department, is part of the measures to support employees to realise their potential and work from home, or, indeed, adopt a blended approach that suits all concerned.

As the Deputy noted, it is important for people to have that right to disconnect in order that their homes will be private and they will have time for their families. I hope that a blend of these policies will give people greater opportunities to be with their families and disconnect and will encourage a better society in general. They could be some of the rewards from Covid.

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