Louth TD raises problems faced by cross border remote workers

The issue of remote and hybrid workers who live in the North and who are employed by Southern companies was to the fore again after the issue was raised by Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

The Sinn Féin deputy raised the issue in Leinster House last week during a debate on the Control of Exports Bill.

He also attended an online webinar, organised by the Centre for Cross Border Studies, which outlined the huge difficulties and complications faced by employees who work from home in a different jurisdiction.

In addition, Deputy Ó Murchú has submitted a question for response on Tuesday by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, asking what engagement her department has had with other departments in relation to the difficulties faced by those who engage in remote or hybrid cross border employment.

Speaking in Leinster House last week, Deputy Ó Murchú said:

“It relates to taxation from the point of view of remote working, North and South.

“The matter relates to PayPal. Some 120 staff of the latter had to be transferred to PayPal UK lately because they are remote working and it is no longer possible for them to continue to be paid in the South.

“There are obviously particular conditions around that.

“However, we are at a different stage now and we need to look at bilateral arrangements with the British Government, which is probably more possible than it was three or four months ago.”