Ireland: government promises tax cuts to promote remote work

On 28 June, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched a major campaign called #MakingRemoteWork. Broadcast across the media and social networks, the aim is to encourage Irish companies and employees to further extend remote working. After having established a right to disconnect in April (c.f. article No.12452), the government is now seeking go even further. Tax exemptions will be introduced in the 2022 budget for companies and employees who resort to remote working, announced Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.” “We need to make sure we do not drift back to the office and the old normal just because it’s safe to do so. We need to seize this opportunity to create a new normal, a better normal,” the Tánaiste said. The government is also working to expand broadband coverage across the country. In January, the Department of Employment released a national remote work strategy that aims to define the necessary regulatory changes, develop infrastructure such as public co-working spaces, and establish indicators that measure the impact of the deployment of remote work. According to a survey published in April, almost 85% of Irish employees who are able to work remotely were in favour of doing so at least several days a week.