Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
108. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is conducting a review of State-owned or rented office space in Dublin to determine if there is a current or projected oversupply in view of new working arrangements adopted under Covid-19 measures that may become more permanent. [36689/20]
View answerThere is no doubt that the Covid pandemic has created a dramatic change in work practices in both the public and private sectors. However, the current remote working arrangements have arisen out of an emergency situation and the longer term impact of the pandemic on work practices into the future has not yet manifested itself. What is clear is that remote working arrangements for civil servants is very likely into the future. The Commissioners are actively involved in a cross departmental working group assisting in developing a policy around remote working. The publication, and subsequent implementation of this policy, will influence future demands for property.
Government Departments and Agencies will in due course need to undertake detailed workforce planning exercises that identify roles that may be suited to remote working, and roles that may be location specific. The Commissioners will work closely with Departments to identify accommodation solutions that will facilitate the implementation of Government policy in this regard.
It would be anticipated that if remote working practices become widely used within the civil service that this would, in the medium to longer term, have a downward pressure on property demands. In such circumstances the Commissioners would make all necessary adjustments to the size of the portfolio.
