Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
237. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the framework for blended work arrangements in the public service; if he will be bringing forward legislation to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5594/22]
View answerIn July, 2021 the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service which is in line with the Programme for Government commitment mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working. The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.
Remote working in the Civil Service, post COVID, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, Officials in my Department have been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and can assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector.
It is anticipated that the Framework will be finalised over the coming weeks following conclusion of the engagement with employee representatives. Once finalised, the Framework will be rolled out to all civil service organisations and will inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.
On Tuesday 23 January, my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Public Enterprise and Employment published details of a new law which will give employees the right to request remote working. The Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2021 will, for the first time, provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based. When the proposed legislation is enacted, the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service will be reviewed and, where necessary, will take on board any requirement to meet obligations in line with the legislation.
