Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The right to request remote working is part of a broader Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland's workforce in a way that can benefit all, economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin an employee's right to request remote working was made in the national remote work strategy published last January. The pandemic has certainly brought remote working centre stage and work on this important legislation is well advanced.

The Bill will set out a clear framework to facilitate remote and blended work options, in so far as possible. It will ensure that when an employer declines a request, he or she must give stated reasons for doing so. Remote working will not work for everyone, which means we must take a balanced approach with the legislation. On 20 August, I published the views of members of the public and stakeholder groups on the new legislation. The summary report of the 175 submissions is now available on my Department's website. Informed by the public consultation and a review of international best practice, the drafting of the general scheme of the Bill has commenced and I will be seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of heads of Bill in quarter 4 of 2021. The Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter. The intention is to introduce a mechanism for employees to request remote working that is fair but does not place undue burdens on employers.

In the meantime, we will continue to provide up-to-date advice, guidance and information on all aspects of remote working for workers and employers. On 28 June, I launched my Department's Making Remote Work campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the advice and information available from Government to help workers and employers facilitate more remote and blended working. It includes guidance for employers and workers and a remote working checklist, all of which are available on the Department's website. I can also inform the House that the work safety protocol has been updated, in consultation with unions and employers, and I should be in a position to publish it tomorrow or the day after, in advance of the phased return to offices that will begin next Monday.

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