Government to support remote working with free vouchers to rural digital hubs

The Government has announced a series of new initiatives to support remote working, including a voucher scheme that will give workers free access to local digital hubs.

At least 10,000 hot desk facilities will be provided free of charge to existing hub users and those availing of the facilities for the first time.

The move aimed at encouraging more use of the hundreds of remote-working centres that have been set up around the country, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

People will have to register as remote workers and can then attend their local hub to redeem their three free days between now and the end of August. The scheme could save them up to €75, depending on the rate charged.

There are currently 242 remote working hubs across the country, where workers can book an office or desk space through the Connected Hubs app. The average cost is around €15 to €20 a day.

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has also announced an investment of €5 million to upgrade 81 remote working facilities around the country.

Works will include the expansion of existing hubs, installation of privacy booths, access control and security systems, the conversion of open plan space to modular offices as well as the provision of podcast studios, enhanced audio visual, networking and conferencing facilities.

"This scheme is designed to add remote working capacity at hubs and Broadband Connection Points across the country, to make more space for remote workers and to improve the quality of the facilities and their services," Minister Humphreys said.

The Government has also announced the provision of €50,000 in funding to each local authority under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The money will be used to fund marketing campaigns and promote local remote working opportunities.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has welcomed the initiatives announced today but is calling for progress in passing the 'Right to Request Remote Work Bill', which is currently making its way through the Oireachtas.

"Today's measures could be seen as tinkering around the edges. The real blockage to remote working and workers taking up theses remote hubs is that they have no legal guarantees that their request to work from home will be given a fair hearing," said Dr Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with ICTU.

"There needs to be more urgency in getting that legislation enacted," she added.

The bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee and it is likely to be the autumn before the remote working law is enacted.

ICTU is also calling for tax reliefs on fees paid by workers to remote working hubs.

Ireland is currently taking part in a four-day week work trial along with dozens of other nations.

Firms that plan on cooperating, will give 100% of workers' pay for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintaining 100% productivity.

The trial is being organised by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston College.