Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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180. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the concept of working from home or via digital hubs is being progressed, with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; the extent of recent progress in this area; the extent to which the need for flexibility can be recognised by all parties within working from home arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The concept of working from home or via digital hubs has progressed across a number of fronts.

The right to request remote working is now available to all employees under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. These provisions were commenced on the 6th of March 2024 and this right is now in operation.

The Act includes obligations for the employee and the employer with regard to requests for remote working arrangements, including details on how the request shall be made by the employee and details regarding how the employer must consider and respond to the request.

Under the Act, employers and employees are obliged to have regard to a Code of Practice when considering applications for remote working arrangements. Employees will be able to refer a dispute to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where an employer fails to fulfil their obligations under the Act and the Code will be admissible in evidence in proceedings before a court, the Labour Court or the WRC.

Additionally, the Remote Working Strategy, which was published in 2021, included a key action to map and invest in a network of remote working hubs across Ireland .

The launch of Ireland’s National Hub Network, and the ConnectedHubs.ie platform, in May 2021, is underpinned by ongoing investment of over €150 million in Ireland's remote working and hub infrastructure from a variety of funding streams managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and my Department.

There are currently over 300 facilities across the country on-boarded to the online platform and the network will ultimately connect over 400 hubs and remote co working spaces throughout the country.

Furthermore, my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy, in consultation with hub managers, communities, local authorities and other stakeholders. Both Departments continue to engage with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on the strategy, which is expected to be brought to Government this year.