Remote working job targets must be set and delivered to safe-guard rural Ireland’s future – Scahill

Ambitious targets to attract more remote working jobs must be set by government if investment in rural Ireland’s future is to pay dividends, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Gareth Scahill said that the successful rollout of the National Broadband Plan, a project which was first championed by Fine Gael in the face of much political opposition, has been a key element in the revitalisation of a number of communities outside Ireland’s major towns throughout the country. But, he added, in tandem with providing the infrastructure for remote working, clear targets to attract remote working job opportunities need to be set and evaluated.

Senator Scahill said: “There are currently 387 remote working hubs located in towns and villages throughout the country and that number is set to grow and expand. These are more than just work stations; they are vibrant and diverse communities creating and fostering connections between entrepreneurs and businesses.

“Ireland has almost 100% employment and we now also have the capacity to deliver high-paying, knowledge-based jobs directly into the heart of rural communities. Tens of thousands of remote working roles are available globally and Ireland is now well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. By establishing the right structures, Ireland could create a fourth pillar of employment, complementing indigenous companies, foreign direct investment and agriculture.

“If the investment made to remote working to date is to pay off, it’s vital that Ireland sets out to win a proportion of the remote jobs available on the market. For context, if Ireland lands 10,000 of the €100,000 salaried jobs available, that would yield an additional €130 million for the exchequer and high-paying jobs reaching even the most remote parts of Ireland.

“An agency charged with setting and delivering remote job targets must be established to identify and troubleshoot current obstacles to those jobs coming on stream, such as EU funding structures which currently don’t incentivise remote work.

“Government is set to publish its first National Hub Strategy later this year and I intend to work closely with my Fine Gael colleague, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer, to see that the strategy includes how many remote working job opportunities can be won for Ireland and how.

“We’ve invested heavily in this sector and workers can now do their jobs in all corners of the country. The benefits of remote working to the local and national economies are immense, while the benefits to our society are potentially immeasurable. Follow through needs to happen now to make sure the job delivery stacks up against the investment.”