I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
I propose to take these PQs together which deal with the issue of remote working at Departmental and Agency level respectively.
Throughout the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Government Departments and agencies have operated in line with the Government’s public health guidance to work from home, where it was possible to do so. To facilitate this, my Department equipped the staff who could conduct their duties remotely with IT hardware and software, including laptops, phones and software licences. Many staff in various locations around the country, for example in meat plants, laboratories, IT support, Border Inspection Posts and Fishery Harbour Centres were deemed essential workers and continued to work from their normal place of employment to support these essential services.
The Department made provision for over 4,000 people (includes contracted staff) to have remotely working capabilities, while all staff have access to appropriate videoconferencing services.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the Department is facilitating a meaningful transition back to the normal place of work, particularly for staff who have been working from home for the majority of the period in question. This involves a gradual phased return of staff to the workplace and will be done in accordance with prevailing public health advice. This transition phase will involve for many staff a blend of remote working and attendance in the workplace.
A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of 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.
Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that the Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.
Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation. Engagement with the state agencies under the aegis of my Department has been ongoing, with a view to facilitating a broad consistency of approach, and this engagement will be maintained
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the support from the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department on the implementation of the national remote work strategy, Making Remote Work, is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.
