I wish to indicate to the Deputy that Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible.
My Department is an active participant on the interdepartmental working group that is developing a central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service. It is expected that this will be finalised in conjunction with employee representative bodies 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. Furthermore, my Department’s Covid-19 Response Management Group meets weekly and continues to consolidate work already advanced in response to the pandemic in line with on-going Government guidance and recommendations.
The ICT services of the Department are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) for all staff. These services support remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely. The ICT equipment procured for staff to work remotely has been procured in line with the appropriate procurement guidelines.
In excess of 93% of staff are enabled to work from home. Those who are not enabled to work from home have continued to work on-site over the last 18 months. With regards to these members of staff, it should be mentioned that their onsite presence is required due to the nature of their work.
