Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1183. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation for flexible work will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy may be aware that Part 2 of the Work Life Balance Act 2023, which was signed into law by the President on 4th April last, includes provisions to transpose Article 9 of the EU Work Life Balance Directive, which provides for a right to request flexible working for parents and carers.

The provisions of the Act will be commenced as early as possible. Certain provisions will require additional work before they can be commenced, such as the provisions for a right to request flexible working for carers and parents, and remote working, which require the preparation of a Code of Practice in line with Part 4 of the Bill. I will announce publicly when provisions have commenced.

Under the provisions of the Act, all employees can make a request for remote work, but the right to request flexible working only extends to parents and carers, as defined under the Directive. The Government has committed, however, to reviewing these provisions after two years to consider extending the right to request flexible working to all employees.