Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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179. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department plans to introduce further legislation in addition to proposed legislation allowing for a right to request remote working allowing for a legal right to work remotely to avoid situations in which employers can simply dismiss requests from employees; the additional steps his Department is taking to create more flexible work options for workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19137/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government knows that many workers place huge social value on workplace flexibility, and remote working plays a central role in enabling that increased flexibility to support a better work/life balance. There has been a significant long-term shift in attitudes to remote work amongst both employers and workers throughout the country.

The Government is committed to increasing remote work adoption through removing barriers, developing infrastructure, providing guidance, raising awareness and leading by example in this area.

In the context of Pillar 1 of the National Remote Work Strategy, published in January 2021, a commitment was made to legislate to provide employees with the right to request remote work. This is one of the key actions of the Strategy.

In line with that Strategy, on 25th January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022. This will provide employees with a right to request remote work and provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing such a request can be based. It will also provide legal clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment commenced on 9th February and Departmental officials are scheduled to attend a further meeting on 4th May.

I want to strengthen the Bill and I will be happy to consider any proposals made by the Committee. The Department is currently looking further at the legal issues related to strengthening the redress provisions and the right of appeal and is taking legal advice on the matter. Officials have been requested to consult further with union and employer representatives in this regard over the coming weeks.

We recognise that not all occupations, industries, or particular roles within an enterprise, will be appropriate or suitable for remote working, e.g. construction workers, nurses, doctors, waste collectors. Calls to introduce a blanket right to remote working are not realistic.

Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers contains provisions in relation to flexible working arrangements. Responsibility for transposition of the Directive rests with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman T.D. I understand that this work is currently in train.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department plans to commission an expert report to examine the feasibility of a four-day working week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19138/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is commissioning research which will examine the potential social, economic and environmental implications of a transition to reduced working time, including the potential impacts of a transition to a four-day week. This research will be carried out with a view to establishing an evidence base which will inform any future policy development in this area.

A request for tenders for research services was published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on March 16th and the closing date for receipt of tenders is April 25th.

Following evaluation of the tenders submitted, it is intended to award the contract during Q2 2022 and to have the research study completed during 2022.