Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
The Department, like other civil service employers, hopes to transition staff back to the office during September 2021, on a staggered basis. It is intended that the enduring Blending Working policy will come into effect in April 2022. Currently, over 90% of my Department's staff are working either fully remotely or on a hybrid basis, this has been in place since March 2020 in line with public health advice.
The agencies under the remit of my Department are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff issues in compliance with statutory obligations, including observing public health advice and managing staff attendance patterns in their offices and remotely.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services for my Department are provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.
The following table sets out details of the costs for laptops/surface pros/hybrid devices, desktop computers, Wi-Fi and phone-related expenses incurred by my Department to facilitate remote working for staff since March 2020. The only additional costs incurred related to laptops/Surface Pros/Hybrid devices.
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Description:
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Total Expenditure since March 2020
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Laptops/Surface Pros/Hybrids
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€135,283.30
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Desktop Computers
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Nil
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Wi-Fi costs
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Nil
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Phone-Related Expenses
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Nil
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My Department does not contribute to Wi-Fi costs incurred for home working. Furthermore no additional phone-related expenses have been incurred specifically for home working during the period.
