Remote working will ensure sustainable communities – Carey

REMOTE working has to be adopted by all employers as technology continues to evolve, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Speaking about ‘Future Jobs Ireland 2019: Preparing Now for Tomorrow’s Economy’, Clare Fine Gael TD, Deputy Joe Carey said the whole-of-Government framework for the next phase of Ireland’s economic development has immense potential for all professionals – no matter what scale of industry they work in.

Deputy Carey is chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development and is committed to creating a counter balance to the capital.

“We all know about the growth in Dublin and the eastern seaboard which is at risk of falling into the Irish Sea. There now exists immense opportunities for all to examine new ways of working without having to uproot from their homeplace or neighbourhood.

“Over the past few months the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development had a number of very good hearings on the issue of remote working. In particular, I was very impressed by Grow Remote, who are a voluntary organisation who established to explore and push these new working practices. Their presentation gave us very viable reasons why remote working should be adopted and championed by Government,” Deputy Carey said.

“Productivity begins with our people. Every year, it seems more and more time is spent at work and trying to achieve a sustainable work-life balance is put aside. This cannot continue.

“Productivity should never be about working more for less. Flexible working options through ever changing technology has made the possibility of remote working a reality. Opportunities now exist that previous generations would not have imagined.

“Is it not more beneficial for people to work remotely from home or a co-working space? Will they be able to spend more time with their families and in their communities if they don’t have to commute to the office every day? Does mental health not benefit?

“Parents afforded flexible working hours will result in less childcare costs. The benefits to an employer of having a more flexible, happier and productive workforce are obvious. Our communities benefit with the obvious environmental impact. Less commuting means less pollution. Remote working is a win-win.

“This is an issue that is not just worth exploring but needs to be adopted nationwide in a co-ordinated way. That is why as part of Future Jobs Ireland 2019, we will have a national consultation on the extension of flexible working options to all employees. A lot of work has been put into this by Minister Heather Humphreys and the Government. We must now capitalise on the same.

“The establishment of a necklace of high quality co-working spaces in our provincial towns and villages can be of major benefit to rural Ireland,” Deputy Carey said.