Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
518. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants at all levels, currently working from home; if adequate technical provision has been made to ensure the continued provision of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41853/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the requested information for every public body. A separate question would need to be submitted to each Minister to answer for their respective Departments and the bodies under their aegis.
In terms of my own Department, all staff in the Department, including the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), have been provided with the necessary equipment to enable them to work from home. There are 457 staff in the Department and a further 236 staff in the OGP. As part of the Department’s approach to blended working, all staff are required to attend the office at least three days per week. In addition to the provision of end user devices and the appropriate peripherals, my Department has built out a scalable, resilient remote access infrastructure that has provided, and continues to provide, reliable remote access services to users.
The position regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
At present, all office-based staff are currently required to attend the official workplace for at least two days a week. Approximately 750 staff connect to the office remotely on a daily basis. Staff whose roles are not office-based (e.g. drivers, guides, general operatives etc.) are largely working the same work patterns prior to the pandemic. All OPW staff whose roles involve the use of computer technology have been provided with equipment (e.g. notebook computer, mobile devices, headsets etc.) and services (such as video conferencing and telephony) to allow them work from home as and when required.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
PAS currently has 272 staff and are operating a hybrid working model. At present, 269 PAS staff have access to working from home. However, there is a requirement for staff to attend the office on designated days each week. All staff working from home have been provided with laptops and, where necessary, any additional technical equipment required to fulfil the duties of their role from home, ensuring the continued provision of all services.
National Shares Services Office (NSSO)
The NSSO follows best practice in the design and operation of their Technology Solutions. These Solutions are designed and operated to be Secure, Highly Available and Recoverable in the Event of an Incident. 93% of the NSSO’s 795 staff are working remotely.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman currently has 148 staff who work on a blended basis between the office and home. The Office’s ICT Unit has put a technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home if and when required.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory currently has 108 staff, of which 87 have access to remote working on a blended basis. A technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home if and when required.
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery is currently operating a temporary hybrid working arrangement. All 10 staff currently operate on a basis of a combination of office-based working and remote working. These arrangements are subject to regular review by the Regulator. The Regulator is satisfied that adequate technical provision has been made to ensure the provision of service.
