Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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110. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures the Government intends to introduce in the coming year to strengthen or amend the statutory right to request remote working arrangements; whether consideration is being given to enhancing enforcement mechanisms or employer compliance requirements, in light of concerns that the current legislation lacks practical effect where employers maintain mandatory return-to-office policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17396/26]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since March 2024, all employees have the right to request a remote working arrangement under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. The introduction of this right was an outcome of the National Remote Work Strategy, which included an action to legislate to provide employees with the right to request remote working.

This legislation is accompanied by a Code of Practice on the Right to Request Flexible and Remote Working, offering practical guidance to both employers and employees on the legislation.

The right to request remote working is available to all employees, however it should be acknowledged that not all occupations, industries, or particular roles within an enterprise will be appropriate or suitable for remote working. In addition, Government cannot determine the terms agreed between an employee and employer.

Remote working arrangements should be agreed between employees and employers to allow each party to realise the benefits of remote working where possible and the Code of Practice supports this process.

My Department has recently completed a statutory review of the operation of the remote working provisions of the Act and a report of the review is currently being finalised. The purpose of the review is to assess the effectiveness of the legislation in providing the entitlements, to evaluate the clarity of the legislation and to identify any unintended consequences of the legislation. We achieved significant engagement from employers, employees, representative bodies, members of the public and the Workplace Relations Commission as part of this review process.

In addition to our work on the legislation, Government has developed and introduced a suite of policies and supports for remote working, including:

• The development of a National Hub Strategy, which will inform the future direction of the National Hub Network. Underpinned by significant Government investment, there are currently 400 facilities across the country on-boarded to the online platform. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, together with my Department, is leading on this work.

• The Working in Ireland Survey, which is co-funded by my Department, is currently being carried out by University College Dublin. The survey investigates a variety of employment quality factors, including work-life balance.

• The Department of Taoiseach has requested that the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) undertake research on the evolution and impact of remote and hybrid working in Ireland.

• The Programme for Government set a target to complete the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people nationwide by 2026.

• There is also an income tax deduction for people working from home.

Through these actions Government remains dedicated to enabling remote work in a manner that delivers maximum economic, social, and environmental benefits.