I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 145 together.
Since March 2020, in line with public health advice, many of the staff in my Department have been working from home with the exception of staff supporting the essential operation of Government Buildings to support the work of the Taoiseach and Government during this period. A significant proportion of staff already had remote access to Departmental systems through mobile devices. Since March 2020, the Department has also facilitated requests from a small number of staff to bring certain office equipment home on a temporary basis, such as office chairs and some computer equipment at no additional cost to the Department.
Like all Government Departments and Offices, my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for continued remote working and a gradual return to the office for Civil Service Departments from the 20th September having regard to individual operational arrangements. In line with the rest of the Civil Service, the Department will finalise and progressively roll-out its blended working policy for the longer-term which will be guided by the Central Policy Framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service currently being finalised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
