Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
471. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason employees of public bodies and those in the public sector do not qualify as e-workers for payments of up to €3.20 per day for expenditure incurred in the performance of the duties of their employment from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33182/20]
View answerDuring this exceptional time, whereby a significant number of public servants are required to work from home, in line with public health advice, my Department has published central guidance on working arrangements during COVID-19 for the Civil and Public Service. This guidance is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cfe6-update-24th-august-2020-to-guidance-on-working-arrangements-during-covid-19-for-the-civil-and-public-service/.
The current position as set out in the guidance on the payment of allowances to public servants who are working from home is as follows:
“Public service employers should not pay a daily allowance (e.g. €3.20 per day) to their employees in respect of working from home. It is open to employees to make claims directly to Revenue in respect of actual costs incurred in working from home at the end of the relevant tax year, in accordance with the relevant tax laws. Any claim in this regard is solely a matter for the individual concerned.”
In this context, public servants can make claims directly to Revenue in relation to costs incurred while working from home (e.g. electric, gas, broadband).
