Vol. 517 No. 1
173 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will introduce teleworking operations into the mainstream public service employments under his aegis in accordance with the commitment given by the Government in its Programme for Pros perity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the changes required in each of the agencies under his aegis to fulfil this commitment by the Government. [9286/00]
I understand that the Minister for Finance will be addressing the question in so far as it relates to the Civil Service, including those civil servants employed in my Department.
As regards members of the Garda Síochána, who are public servants but not part of the Civil Service, the associations representing the various Garda ranks are not yet parties to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Details of the programme have been forwarded to the associations and the question of their participation will be formally addressed in the near future. The question of teleworking will have to be discussed with them and with Garda management. Obviously not all Garda tasks are suitable for teleworking and this is an issue that will have to be discussed.
