John Evoy
General Manager, Grow Remote
Ireland has unquestionably adopted remote and hybrid work as the new normal. Ireland ranks second in the EU for the adoption of remote employment.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) Data for Q4 2024 states that approximately 970,000 workers, or 35% of the entire workforce, are now engaged in remote or hybrid work.
Remote work as a multifaceted solution
However, we are now at a crossroads. With the threat of climate change and the potentially disruptive impact of uncertain global economic policies, the need for innovative and multidisciplinary solutions is greater now than ever before. While no single solution can act as a panacea for these complex challenges, what is becoming more apparent from the data emerging post-Covid is that remote employment embodies a uniquely multifaceted solution to some of these most pressing challenges.
Remote work can help Ireland achieve
several strategic goals in an innovative,
impactful and cost-effective way.
Boosting Ireland’s economy and environment
Embracing remote work at scale will set Ireland up for a more competitive, resilient and technologically progressive economy, as well as a more sustainable and equitable society. There are some actions that Ireland can take right now to position itself as the global leader in remote employment: creating jobs, fostering economic growth, strengthening local communities and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Tens of thousands of remote roles are available globally, and Ireland is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. By establishing the right structures, Ireland can create a fourth pillar of employment, complementing indigenous companies, foreign direct investment (FDI) and agriculture. Likewise, government investment in training and support programmes for employers would help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, develop the necessary tools and infrastructure to implement and manage remote work effectively, ultimately expanding the number of remote jobs available in Ireland’s indigenous workforce.
Driving resilience through remote work
Remote work can help Ireland achieve several strategic goals in an innovative, impactful and cost-effective way. In times of uncertainty, flexibility and agility are most needed. The continued success of remote work in Ireland points a path of surety in an ever-changing world.
