Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
85. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give a detailed and written outline of the expectations on workers and employers over the coming number of months regarding the return to workplaces and remote working. [52245/21]
View answerFurther easing of restrictions took place on the 22nd of October with the extension of some non-pharmaceutical interventions. Important and necessary public health guidance currently in effect in relation to workplaces remains in place after the 22nd of October, with the general return to workplaces continuing to take place on a phased and cautious basis and for specific business requirements.
This phased and cautious approach has been in place since the 19th of September and will continue in line with public health advice over the coming months.
A cautious and careful return to workplaces should take into account:
- appropriate attendance levels, cognisant of public health guidance as reflected in the Work Safely Protocol and associated checklist(s);
- the use of staggered arrangements, such as non-fulltime attendance and flexible working hours, and
- that attendance is for specific business requirements.
The approach taken depends on the specific circumstances of each workplace and should be informed by consultations with workers.It is important to re-state the basic guidelines in relation to workplaces as the further easing of restrictions continue.
The Work Safely Protocol remains in place and continues to apply in full. All workers, regardless of the sector of the economy in which they work, are covered by the provisions of the Work Safely Protocol.
Collaboratively working together in workplaces on implementing public health infection control measures is the best way to avoid the spread of COVID-19. I would ask all employers and employee to re-read the Protocol and consider what additional steps they can take.
Since May 2020, over 46,000 Covid-19 inspections around compliance with the Work Safely Protocol have been carried out by the Health and Safety Authority and the other Government Departments and State Bodies.The National Remote Work Strategy ‘Making Remote Work’, was published on January 15th 2021, and my Department is focused on the implementation of the Strategy, for which all the strategic actions have delivery dates in 2021.
On 20th August 2021, my Department also published the results of the Public Consultation on the Right to Request Remote Work. Informed by the consultation and a review of international best practice the drafting of the General Scheme of the Bill has commenced. Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Right to Request Remote Working Bill will be sought in Q4 2021.
