Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
320. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to encourage active travel modes to and from work in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17384/22]
View answerIn 2020, my Department established a Wellbeing Unit within the Human Resources Division and published a staff wellbeing policy . The unit promotes physical and mental health through a variety of support initiatives including step challenges, webinars featuring specialist guest speakers, online yoga and mindfulness classes, a monthly wellbeing E-zine, annual Men’s and Women’s Health Weeks, promotion of national/international health awareness days, and through Wellbeing clubs including walking/hiking, cycling, fitness and yoga clubs.
The Department supports its staff who walk or cycle to work by providing bike sheds and shower facilities and by creating awareness of the Government's cycle to work scheme.
The Citizens Information Board operates the cycle to work scheme and staff members have access to dedicated bicycle locking facilities and to showering facilities at their main office in George’s Quay House.
The Pensions Authority offers the cycle to work scheme for all employees and also offer the bus and rail travel saver ticket scheme.
