Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is right that it will be about promoting them. The Minister mentioned the connectedhubs.iewebsite. I suggest promoting them on a greater scale. One has just opened in Ballinlough, County Roscommon, and they are trying to promote it to get people into it and so people know it is there. It is a service that people can use and it is really welcome.

However, we need to ensure that we get the legislation right. Otherwise some workers who have been working remotely for the last year or two are going to be put in a difficult position as regards going back to the office. We need to ensure that work-life balance is maintained. We have gone a long way with remote working, thanks to Covid in a lot of respects. We need to ensure that we keep hold of that for the benefit of our rural communities in particular. I urge the Minister to ensure there is engagement and consultation with her Department on that legislation.

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