Civil Service 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 organization-level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas. In conjunction with this framework an application process is also currently being developed to allow staff to apply for blended working into the future.
As an essential service, staff in my Department have continued, throughout the pandemic, to work both on site in office premises and remotely to deliver for our customers. The number of staff who are working remotely at any one time is approximately 3,300 or 50% of the total staffing number and has remained relatively constant through the Covid-19 restrictions.
To support remote working my Department has put in place a health and safety self-assessment system with the necessary training, furniture and IT equipment being provided as a result of these assessments.
The additional costs generated to date, relating to furniture and accommodation for remote workers during the Covid-19 pandemic are approximately €107,000.
In relation to the costs regarding IT equipment, my Department has an overall capital allocation from which it procures all computer related hardware such as desktop computers and laptops including for remote working purposes. It is not possible to separate out the expenditure of laptops and ancillary equipment specifically for remote working purposes from the overall computer hardware expenditure which includes all hardware procured under normal business as usual arrangements. Furthermore, my Department does not make a contribution to wi-fi or personal phone costs incurred by staff.
In accordance with FOI legislation with effect from January 2016, details of public contracts awarded over €25,000 are published quarterly on www.gov.ie.
The Departments HR Wellbeing Unit has developed and offered a range of online supports to staff and managers working remotely in the areas of personal and professional wellbeing. In addition, my Department's HR area have also provided supports, advice and training materials in relation to managing staff remotely and managing newly appointed staff through their probation whilst working remotely.
The position in relation to the relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:
1. Citizens Information Board (CIB)All CIB staff members are currently working remotely. CIB has committed to developing a remote working policy in line with central arrangements.
33 laptops were provided to CIB staff at a cost of €52,800. 35 mobile phones were provided to CIB staff at a cost of €14,427 between March 2020 and August 2021. Miscellaneous equipment was also provided to CIB staff (eg monitors, keyboards) at a cost of €3,584.50. CIB does not pay contributions towards wi-fi costs for staff working at home.
As CIB does not have a long-term remote working policy at present, no applications for permanent remote working have been received.
2. Pensions Authority
All Pensions Authority employees continue to work from home pending further guidance from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding a return to the office.
Where required, employees return to the office to undertake essential IT, administration and facilities management work. The Pensions Authority is currently developing its longer-term remote working policy and procedures in line with DPER guidance as it becomes available. No employees have applied to work from home permanently or from a hybrid model yet.
During 2020, 22 new employees joined the Authority. The Authority expenditure incurred across the organisation in dealing with the impact of Covid 19 was approximately €100k. Most of the increased costs relate to provide the ICT and general supports for employees required to work remotely.
