Mayo TD publishes review confirming remote work request legislation is delivering

Minister for Small Business Retail and Employment Alan Dillon TD has published the statutory review of Ireland’s remote work request provisions under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

The review provides the clearest evidence to date that Ireland’s remote work request framework is functioning effectively. When employees use the system, 94 per-cent of requests are approved, either fully or in part, and employers report minimal administrative burden in operating the process.

The key findings in the review of the legislation include: low administrative burden for employers across all sectors; low use and awareness of the legislation, particularly in rural communities; no legislative amendments proposed, as the Act is operating effectively and proportionately.

Ireland remains one of the first EU countries to introduce a statutory right to request remote work, supported by Codes of Practice on the Right to Disconnect and on Flexible and Remote Work.

The review draws on a nationally representative survey of employees and employers, as well as a public consultation that received more than 8,000 submissions.

Minister Dillon said the findings confirm that Ireland’s approach is working: “Remote working is now a fundamental part of how Ireland works. This review clearly shows that when employees use their right to request remote working, it delivers, with over 90 per cent of requests approved in full or in part. This is the kind of balanced, practical flexibility that we want to see nationwide.”

He emphasised the need to increase awareness, particularly outside major urban centres: “Too many people are still not aware that the right exists. A national awareness campaign will help ensure workers and employers across the country understand the process and feel confident engaging with it.”

Minister Dillon also highlighted the importance of strengthening guidance for both employers and employees: “Businesses are implementing the processes effectively. I will now ask the Workplace Relations Commission to update the Code of Practice so that guidance is as clear and user friendly as possible.”

A series of actions will now be taken to strengthen awareness, clarity, and consistency in how the right to request remote work is applied and they include; A National Information Campaign to begin this year to improve understanding of the right and how to use it; revised and enhanced WRC Code of Practice, requested by Minister Dillon, to: provide clearer templates and guidance for employees; support employers in giving transparent and comprehensive decisions; clarify statutory timelines; encourage structured consultation and promote WRC mediation services.

There will also be continued Government support for remote work which includes: High speed broadband rollout to 1.1 million people; expansion of the National Hub Network and implementation of the National Hub Strategy; tax reliefs for home working; ongoing research, including forthcoming NESC analysis on remote and hybrid work.

No legislative changes are proposed, as the Act is operating effectively and proportionately.

Minister Dillon said: “With more than 8,000 consultation responses, it is clear that remove working matters deeply to people. Businesses are implementing the processes effectively.

‘Remote work continues to be supported through investment in national broadband, remote working hubs, and tax relief for home working. This review shows the legislation is working, and now our focus is on ensuring every worker and employer understands how to use it,” Minister Dillon concluded.