Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
538. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that flexi-leave will be taken into account for those who work less than five days per week further to the publication of the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework; if details of the way that blended and hybrid work will take flexi-leave into consideration will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/22]
View answer567. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will update its guidance to public sector employers in relation to the temporary suspension of flexi-time arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 567 together.
Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on normal working arrangements, the operation of traditional flexi-time and attendance management rules do not support the flexible arrangements and agility required during this extraordinary situation. These arrangements were temporarily suspended in April 2020 to facilitate the required new ways of working across the public service.
The normal operation of flexi-time, or equivalent attendance management rules, including any flexi-time accruals and deficits, continues to remain temporarily suspended for those employees who are working under different arrangements. This includes those who are working from home or working a pattern of working from home/in the work premises.
Flexi-time accrual arrangements were re-introduced from August 2020 in circumstances where employees are attending the employer’s work premises for the full complement of their normal, pre-COVID work attendance patterns and rostered hours.
Remote working in the Civil Service, post COVID-19, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in consultation with employers across the Civil Service has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. The Framework was published on 31st March 2022 and has been distributed to all Civil Service organisations to allow for the development of their own blended working policies. When completed, each Department/Office will roll out their blended working policies and implementation plans.
Flexitime accrual for civil servants availing of a blended working arrangement is to be tested by way of pilots. Officials in my Department have commenced working with Civil Service colleagues to discuss the details and implementation of the pilots, which will be conducted over the coming months.
