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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (1172)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1172. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter regarding the opening of offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8509/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Local authorities have been to the fore in the national response to the COVID-19 crisis showing great flexibility and innovation in continuing to deliver services and functions under COVID-19 response restrictions, including the closure of public offices, since the end of March.

During this period local authorities put in place the new Community Call initiative to provide care to the vulnerable in communities that are cocooning and self-isolating. The Community Call provides an important “safety net” and local authorities around the country have handled nearly 44,200 calls since the start of April.

Now, as the country engages in a phased reduction of restrictions as set out in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, local authorities are progressively planning for a phased re-opening of public offices in line with the Roadmap and the National Return to Work Safely Protocol.

Local authorities have developed a very comprehensive COVID-19 Work Safely: Health and Safety Guidance which consolidates national best practice and sets out the general principles to be applied to protect employees and to minimise the risk of spread of COVID-19 in their workplaces.

Local authorities are working to a timetable of specific public office re-opening in line with the five phases of the national Roadmap. For example, importantly, public office planning functions have resumed from 25 May. Other public-facing functions are targeted for delivery across Phases 2 and 3 of the Roadmap, subject of course to the public health assessment of the progress through the phases.

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