Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the concept of working from home or through digital hubs is being progressed with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44184/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently 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 of the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Strategy contains 15 actions to progress remote work into the future, organised into three pillars and underpinning conditions: These pillars are:

1. Create a Conducive Environment

2. Develop and Leverage Remote Work Infrastructure

3. Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework

Each action has been attributed actors to lead on delivery and is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year. Progress on the actions is reported to the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Remote Work. This IDG has met three times to date this year, most recently on September 7^th, 2021. At these meetings it has been established that good progress has been made in achieving most actions by their deadlines. The next meeting of the IDG will take place in November.

To further aid employers and employees with remote work adoption, on June 28^th,2021, my Department launched the ‘Making Remote Work’ campaign across broadcast, print and social media to promote the Guidance for Working Remotely webpage. This webpage acts as a central access point for employers and employees and brings together the existing State guidance, legislation and advice on remote work into one place. The webpage includes an Employer Checklist to provide employers with a quick way to successfully navigate the adoption of remote working arrangements. As we approach the return to the office, I am encouraging employers and employees to discuss the kinds of remote working arrangements that may be suitable for their organisations.