Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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166. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which he expects the remote working Bill 2022 to be enacted; and if he will provide an update on same. [33296/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Right to Request Remote Working Bill is part of a broader Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally.

Through the proposed legislation we will, for the first time, provide a legal framework for requesting remote work. It will also provide clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.

We recognise that not all occupations, industries, or particular roles within an enterprise, will be appropriate or suitable for remote working. So, the approach taken in the proposed legislation is a balanced one. However, it will offer people choices and options.

The proposed legislation will provide employees with a right to request remote work and will 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.

The Department is currently looking further at the issues related to strengthening the redress provisions and the right of appeal.

We want to enhance the rights and entitlements of workers, but we also need to ensure a balanced approach that is fair and affordable for employers. Similarly, we must acknowledge that not all occupations, industries, or particular roles within an enterprise, will be appropriate or suitable for remote working, e.g., construction workers, nurses.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment began pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme on 9th of February and Departmental officials appeared before the Committee for the second time during this process on 18th May.

We will carefully consider the Committee's Report once it is available and it remains the Government’s intention to enact the new law as soon as possible.