Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
463. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has made new recommendations on the future plans for OPW office space in a post-Covid-19 environment with respect to preferences such as open plan, smaller isolated offices and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immediate necessity for Departments and agencies to vacate their existing office space during the early stages of the pandemic was a defining moment for considering the strategic direction of the office portfolio of the future.
The current crisis has highlighted that the Civil Service does not need to rely solely on building-based work locations/solutions into the future. Significant success was achieved in recent months by many Departments and Agencies in setting up new working environments at very short notice enabling personnel to work remotely. These arrangements contrasted significantly to normal working operations.
OPW’s remit is the provision of appropriate workplaces for the Civil Service, in the context of a central HR policy around remote working, and in parallel with the ICT infrastructure that is required to enable this. I am advised that my officials in the OPW are actively engaged in a central group established by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to advance a policy on remote working. Based on experiences over recent months, many Departments are likely to be open to alternative workplace concepts and processes that heretofore would have been seen as challenging to the work of the Civil Service. OPW will be centrally involved in assisting with any emerging, alternative work practices that are aligned to the Programme for Government and could achieve positive outcomes for client Departments.
All office accommodation provided by OPW will continue to adhere to all building regulations prevailing at the time of acquisition. Through the hosting of a series of webinars, OPW has assisted Civil Service Departments on the issue of operating office spaces in a Covid environment and how best to manage the issue of staff returning to the office. OPW will continue to follow all health advices that emerge during the Covid period and will, if necessary, update its office guidelines as the pandemic environment evolves.
