Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The right to request remote working has been integrated into the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, and under the Act allows all employees a right to request remote working. This important legislation is one of a number of steps taken by this Government to support and empower remote workers who can support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable rural communities. Accordingly, under Our Rural Future, my Department has invested in co-working hubs across the country and is leading the development of the national hub network and its online platform, connectedhubs.ie.

The national hub network interdepartmental group was established in 2020 and arose from intensive engagement between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the subject of remote working at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Made up of a number of Government Departments and public bodies, this group is focused on ensuring the critical infrastructure needed to support remote workers is available across the country. On foot of that group’s co-operation, a nationwide network of 330 hubs is now established, with at least 400 expected by 2025. In addition, officials at my Department, in conjunction with colleagues from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are leading on the formulation of a national hub strategy, which will set out a future direction for the national network of hubs, incorporating enterprise, remote working and community services at hubs across the country. I and my colleagues in government remain committed to ensuring that remote working will continue to deliver real benefits for people all across the country, as envisaged in Our Rural Future.

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