The strategy will seek to equip remote areas with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate remote working.
A strategy to reflect the changing times: On 15 January 2021, the Irish Government published a Remote Working Strategy. The initiative recognises the changes that COVID-19 has brought to people’s working habits, and aims to protect the right of workers in a context where remote work becomes prevalent.
Accelerating broadband deployment will be crucial: The Government commits to accelerating the provision of high-speed broadband to all parts of the country. The current national broadband plan aims to cover more than 90% of premises by 2024. The Remote Working Strategy does not set new objectives, although it places renewed emphasis on the circa 300 ‘Broadband Connection Points’ which will receive high-speed connectivity in the first year of the plan.
Remote working to ‘level up’: The Government is also looking to develop the existing remote working hub infrastructure, which will enable a more equal geographical distribution of high-value knowledge economy roles. The Government expects high-speed broadband in these hubs to facilitate many to work locally and result in increased regional employment and lower carbon emissions.
