Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he is taking to facilitate hybrid working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60815/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very supportive of hybrid working and we have taken a wide range of actions to support employees, businesses and communities.

My Department published the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.

My Department is leading the implementation of the Strategy’s 15 actions through an Interdepartmental Group. There has been significant progress in implementing these actions which will facilitate hybrid working. I would highlight the following:

- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the Workplace Relations Commission.

- A public consultation was held on the Right to Request Remote Work. Informed by this and by a review of international best practice, the drafting of the General Scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I anticipate I will be in a position to seek Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill in early January.

- My Department has published extensive guidance and ran a ''Making Remote Work'' campaign to assist employers and employees in making remote working arrangements.

- ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of May . ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country.

- The Connected Hubs Call has awarded funding of €8.9m to 117 remote working hub projects in July to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure.

- While National Broadband Plan has been impacted negatively by COVID-19, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is continuing to engage with National Broadband Ireland to address the delays that have arisen to ensure that the programme gets back on track and builds momentum.

- The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been working across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service which will be finalised over the coming months, following engagement with employee representatives.

- My Department is currently developing nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024, in which there will be a focus on promoting remote working opportunities and investing in infrastructures across the nine regions.

- In October, over €9.3 million in funding was awarded to projects around the country through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, with successful applicants including hubs and enterprise centres throughout the country.

- In Budget 2022, an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home was announced. It amounts to 30 percent of the cost of vouched expenses for heat, electricity and broadband.