Ballyhoura Development welcome the publication of Ireland’s first National Remote Work Strategy published on January 15th, 2021 by The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD.

The National Remote Work Strategy aims to create an environment where remote working can thrive and transform rural Ireland. The impact of Covid 19 across 2020 and 2021 has demonstrated more than ever the importance of fit for purpose spaces to support rural enterprise and employment. Remote working, whether from home or from a shared co-working hub, has been accelerated by COVID-19, but it will be a feature of the world of work in the future. 

The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD said:

"The pandemic has exacted a terrible toll on life and livelihoods in Ireland. The requirement to work from home where possible, for reasons of public health, has demonstrated how viable home, remote and blended working can be. Post-pandemic, I want remote working to be part of a whole new world of work and this new government strategy sets out how we will enable it."

The strategy will open up new possibilities for people living in rural Ireland and will be a cornerstone of the new Rural Development Policy which will be finalised and published soon.

The facilitation of remote working can bring new life into rural towns and villages through retaining people in the local community regardless of where their employer is based.

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Actions identified in the strategy include:

• Developing a national network of remote co-working spaces that will support companies and workers who want to access serviced remote working facilities across the country. 
• Developing applications that will enable workers to book space in remote working hubs through a common booking engine.

Ballyhoura Development is here to help and support communities in coming together to develop ideas for remote working hubs and working through from idea to funding application stage.

For more information on how your community can prepare to participate in the opportunities presented by Remote Working, please contact your local Ballyhoura Development Officer.