The right to request a remote working arrangement under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 came into force for all employees on 6 March 2024.

The Act requires a legislative review of the operation of the remote working provisions not earlier than one year and not later than two years following the commencement of the legislation.

As part of the review, a public consultation is seeking the views of members of the public, employers and other interested parties.

Alan Dillon, minister of state for employment, small business and retail, said: “I am pleased to announce the launch of a public consultation on our remote work legislation.

“This is an important opportunity to hear directly from members of the public, employers and other stakeholders about how the legislation is operating in practice, whether it is clear and accessible, and whether it has presented any challenges or unintended consequences.

“Remote work plays a vital role in broadening access to the labour market, reducing commuting times, and allowing people to spend more time with their families.

“Ensuring that the legislation underpinning the right to request remote work is effective and responsive is key to supporting these benefits.

“Remote working also contributes to reducing traffic congestion and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the need for the daily commuting.

“I encourage all interested parties to share their views and help shape the future of remote work in our country.”

Enterprise, tourism and employment minister Peter Burke added: “The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years, and remote working is a key part of that transformation.

“Now that the legislation has been in place for almost two years, this review is about assessing how it is operating in practice.

“By engaging with this consultation, members of the public, employees, employers and other interested parties can help us ensure the legislation is functioning as intended and delivering on its objectives in a fair and balanced way for both employees and employers.

“We want to ensure the legislation is supporting a modern and flexible working environment that strengthens Ireland’s position as a great place to live and work.”

The public consultation will run until 3pm on 9 December 2025.