Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
121. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21056/21]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under its remit encourages and facilitates employees to use active travel to commute to work.
Employees are encouraged to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme and in 2020, 88 staff of the Department purchased bicycles under the scheme to support their commute to work. The Department, as part of its Wellness Programme has both a running and walking club. Pre-pandemic, with the support of the Department and their colleagues many of the club members incorporated walking and running in to their journey to and from work. As many of the Department's staff are currently working from home the Department continued, through its Wellness Programme to encourage staff to stay active for both their physical and mental wellbeing. Again, the running and walking clubs supported and encouraged activity with both running and step challenges, many of which had the added benefit of raising funds for charity.
