Dublin West constituents invited to have their say to shape the future of remote working in online event

Fine Gael wants to hear the views of people in Dublin West on remote working in an online event attended by An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Senator Emer Currie.

The Dublin West Fine Gael representatives are encouraging constituents to register online and join them in a discussion on remote working, which takes place on Tuesday, 13^th April at 8pm.

This is the first in a series of online events taking place under the brand  “Shape Your Future” being organised by Fine Gael which will take place in April.

We want to hear the views of members of the public on a range of issues and encourage engagement between them and their local representatives.

Emer Currie, Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Work Life Balance, said: “I am delighted to be able to take part in our first Shape your Future event with my constituency colleague, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, to discuss the issue of remote working.

“It is fitting that our first meeting will examine an issue that is currently a feature of so many people’s lives. We would like feedback from the public on our plans to make it a more permanent choice for workers and to discuss the challenges presented by changing work patterns.

“Fine Gael has made great strides in committing to making remote working a bigger part of live after Covid. The recent publication of the Remote Work Strategy includes building a legal framework and community infrastructure around remote work, which will hopefully see a positive impact on workforce labour participation and work/life balance.

“A new code of practice was introduced last week around the right to disconnect and a public consultation has commenced about the right to request remote work.

“Fine Gael in the previous Government also began the largest and most significant investment ever in rural Ireland through our National Broadband Plan, to enable new ways of working and use the benefits that remote working offers communities and companies.

“Our Rural Future also contains a welcome blueprint to draw people to work in local communities across the country, with plans to establish a network of 400 remote working hubs nationwide.

“There is huge potential in my own constituency of Dublin West to regenerate our villages and main streets, creating more liveable, local communities with more on our doorsteps like co-working spaces, better childcare, active transport links and less commuting.

“That is why it is so important that we hear the views of people on the potential of remote work, on how we develop these strategies into a plan for Dublin West,” Senator Currie concluded.

People can take part in the event by registering their details through Fine Gael’s website at https://www.finegael.ie/shapeyourfuture/dublin-west/. The event takes place on Tuesday, 13^th April 2021, at 8pm.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Varadkar said: “We want remote and flexible working to be a much bigger part of life after Covid. The pandemic has demonstrated what is possible and the Government is now putting in place the necessary laws, codes of practice and incentives to make it a more viable option in the long-term.

“We know that while the requirement to work from home has been welcome for many, others have found it challenging so we are keen to get the balance right and will be prioritising flexibility and what works best for the individual employee and employer.

“This discussion is a great opportunity to share your experience and hear about the Government’s plans as we incorporate what we have learned over the past year and plan for what the world of work will look like when the pandemic ends.”