Vol. 517 No. 1
166 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he will introduce teleworking operations into the mainstream public service employments under his aegis in accordance with the commitment given by the Government in its Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the changes required in each of the agencies under his aegis to fulfil this commitment by the Government. [9284/00]
I understand that the Department of Finance and the Civil Service staff unions have agreed the terms of a pilot teleworking scheme to commence shortly in the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The purpose of the pilot is to examine on an initial small-scale basis the management, administrative and other issues associated with teleworking in a Civil Service context.
With regard to the introduction of teleworking in agencies under the aegis of my Department the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness commits all publicly-funded organisations to develop a teleworking policy for implementation by 2002. My Department will be in contact with each of the three agencies under its aegis, the Combat Poverty Agency, the National Social Service Board, and the Pensions Board to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities in this regard.
