Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
204. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department is considering any proposals to create a national strategy to attract fully locationless remote jobs to Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8826/26]
View answer205. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department is considering any proposals to create a dedicated unit within his Department, or Stage agencies, to attract fully locationless remote jobs to Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8827/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
Remote working represents a significant opportunity for creating a more inclusive labour market, enabling enhanced access to high-quality employment opportunities for workers in their home communities. This in turn provides employers with access to a larger talent pool, with remote and flexible working options representing powerful tools for staff recruitment and retention, improving labour market performance and regional economic balance overall.
The Government is committed to facilitating remote working in a way which maximises its economic, social and environmental benefits, and my Department worked with colleagues across Government to develop and oversee the successful delivery of all 15 actions outlined in the 2021 National Remote Work Strategy.
These actions include legislating for the right of all workers to request a remote working arrangement through the Work Life Balance Act 2023, the introduction of an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home significant investment in Ireland’s national network of remote working hubs.
Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, re-affirms this commitment to promoting flexible working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers.
It is in this context that I note Grow Remote’s ideas in relation to attracting a proportion of the significant number of remote and locationless jobs advertised monthly internationally to Ireland, with these representing a potential a pool of high-value employment with significant benefits for the country.
Indeed, as the Deputy will recall, I met with representatives of Grow Remote last September for a productive meeting during which the possibilities of a national strategy to attract fully locationless remote jobs to Ireland, and the establishment of a dedicated unit within my Department or State agency to deliver this, were explored.
At the meeting, I invited Grow Remote to develop a detailed policy proposal to inform further consideration of these ideas within my Department and its agencies. I understand that this policy proposal is currently in the process of being drafted with the assistance of officials in my Department, and I look forward to discussing these matters further once this proposal has been finalised.
