Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
232. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [21058/21]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development has two office locations, one in Dublin and one in Mayo. Employees are encouraged to cycle to work where possible. To help facilitate this, there are bike racks in each office as well as showers available for staff who choose an active commute to work. My Department promotes the tax incentivised Cycle to Work scheme, which aims to encourage staff to cycle to and from work.
The Department also has a health and wellbeing programme whereby staff are encouraged to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. A range of initiatives have been led out on by the Human Resources unit, including the Department's Step Challenge and lunch-time mile which encouraged staff to embrace physical activity as a means to contribute to the enjoyment of significant health and environmental benefits.
The majority of my Department’s staff are currently working from home, following Government restrictions in relation to Covid-19. Before these arrangements were put in place Dublin based staff availed of the “Tax Saver Commuter Ticket Scheme” and will be able to avail of this facility again, upon a return to the office.
The table below outlines how the Departments four agencies under its remit encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work:
|
Charities Regulator |
The Charities Regulator takes part in the Cycle to Work Scheme and provides showers and bike racks for staff who choose an active commute. |
|
Western Development Commission |
The WDC actively encourages employees to walk or cycle to work where possible and has opened offices in Galway and Sligo as well as Ballaghaderreen to facilitate local access for employees and to improve delivery to the citizen. The WDC actively promote the Cycle to Work scheme to staff. |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
Water Safety Ireland also take part in the Cycle to Work Scheme. They are currently examining ways to develop their facilities to further encourage active commuting. |
|
Pobal |
Pobal was an early adopter of the Cycle To Work Scheme and staff have been availing of this benefit for many years for making qualifying journeys to/from work. Pobal provides designated bicycle parking and shower facilities in most offices. Staff may also avail of the “Tax Saver Commuter Ticket Scheme” to use public transport and many staff combine public transport and active travel as part of their daily commutes. |
