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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Questions (137)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

137. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he anticipates civil servants returning to their places of work on a more regular basis; if his Department has begun work on assessing the possibility of a longer-term hybrid working arrangement or even section and Department relocation; and if the work is being done in line with the objectives of the national planning framework. [36688/20]

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Written answers

The broad arrangements for workplace attendance at national level are set out in the Framework for Restrictive Measures - Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.  In the Framework home working is to continue, wherever possible, at all levels. This applies in the Civil Service as much as any other sector or workplace.

Since last March, Civil Service organisations have been determining the essential roles that require workplace attendance. The decision to have employees in the workplace takes account of a range of factors including: the differing requirements at each level of the Framework; the list of essential services in the Temporary Restrictions Regulations; and the business needs of the organisation at any given time. 

To support Civil and Public Service employers at this time my Department has produced Guidance on working arrangements during COVID-19 for the Civil and Public Service. This is regularly updated to reflect changes to public health advice.

In relation to home or hybrid working in the longer term, the Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021. 

In this context, my Department is now, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector. My officials are also working closely with the wider Public Service to ensure a consistency of approach.

Different working models are possible, and one that has been mentioned by the deputy is the concept of regional Government office “hubs”.

Similar to many Government buildings in provincial towns, establishing well located departmental office hubs is certainly one option for consideration.  Hub spaces facilitate remote working for those where home based work is not a real alternative beyond COVID. They also have the potential to address staff commuting issues and the cost issues associated with a concentration in Dublin and the Central Business District. 

Any decision to set up regional hubs requires: careful analysis of the most suitable locations; must meet the operational needs of Government Departments;  and must be consistent with the National Planning Framework.

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