Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
75. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42755/21]
View answerMy Department is currently working in line with Government COVID 19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. Over the period of the pandemic staff in the Department have worked hard under difficult circumstances to advance and deliver on our vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland.
A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. One of the key objectives of the Blended Working Framework is to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to move to 20% remote working. It is anticipated that my Department’s Blended Working Policy will be in place by Q1 2022 in line with central Government guidance. A key aim of the policy will be to balance and support the business needs of the Department with retaining the flexibility and benefits of remote working.
The Department has two regional offices in Cavan and Wexford and we will be encouraging staff living in these regions to take advantage of these buildings as hubs for remote working. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
