Vol. 530 No. 6
302 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which his Department intends to mark the family friendly workplace day on 1 March 2001; the initiatives he has in this area; and the way in which family friendly initiatives are being implemented for the staff in his Department. [4718/01]
Many of the examples of family friendly work arrangements listed by the national framework committee for the development of family friendly policies are in operation in my Department, namely, flexible working hours, job-sharing, career breaks, parental leave and paternity leave. Later this year a term time scheme will operate. Options for child care are being explored in conjunction with another Department with a view to availing of the support announced by the Minister for Finance in budget 2001.
The availability of these arrangements is well publicised, particularly for new staff as part of a recruitment and retention policy. Applications for participation in these schemes are considered as favourably as possible having regard to the need to resource the ongoing work of the Department, including meeting customer service objectives. My Department will be marking the family friendly working day by drawing the attention of all staff to the day itself and the family friendly website.
