Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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44. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the remote working strategy implementation; if his attention has been drawn to initiatives such as remote hubs in Sneem, County Kerry; his views on the potential of further similar hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40678/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is driving the implementation of the National Remote Work Strategy. Published on January 15^th, 2021, the Strategy aims to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace the maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Strategy contains 15 actions to progress remote work into the future. Each action has been attributed actors for its delivery and a deadline of Q1, 3, or 4 of this year. Lead actors report progress on the actions to the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Remote Work. This IDG has met twice to date this year. At these meetings it was established that good progress is underway to achieving the actions by their deadlines. The IDG will meet again in September to further drive the implementation of the Strategy.

There is a strong focus on hubs under Pillar 2 of the Strategy. Actions under this Pillar include investing and mapping in the national hub infrastructure. DRCD lead the National Hub Network. On July 22^nd, they announced €8.8 million in funding for 117 projects across Ireland as part of the Connected Hubs Call. This investment will support the ongoing development of ConnectedHubs.ie, which already has 113 hubs using the platform and 408 hubs mapped nationally.

Furthermore, the number of hubs identified through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased to 505. These are in the process of being verified before they are mapped on connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interactive map provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to give workers a right to work remotely in co-operation with their employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40697/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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On 1 April, the Tánaiste launched a public consultation to put the right to request remote working into law. Introducing the right to request remote working will provide a clear framework around which requesting, approving or refusing remote work can be based.

The closing date for receipt of submissions was Friday 7 May. The consultation has been reviewed by officials in tandem with a review of international best practice on the matter, which will inform the deliberative process in drafting the proposed legislation.

The intention is to introduce a mechanism for employees to request remote working which is fair to all and does not place an undue burden of costs on employers.

It is recognised that not all sectors, organisations, occupations, or particular roles within an enterprise, will be suitable for remote working. Therefore, even in cases where employers want to facilitate workers and be as flexible as possible, it will not always be an appropriate or suitable option. The Government will take a balanced approach with the new legislation.

The current plan is to prepare the general scheme of a Bill by end of Quarter 3 2021, with a view to having the Heads of the Bill finalised, published and progressed through the Houses as soon as possible thereafter.