Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
56. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the work underway to introduce blended working into the Civil Service in a way that provides flexibility for workers whilst maintaining customer service levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.
In July, 2021 the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service, which was produced by my Department and agreed by the Civil Service Management Board. The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.
Remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, Officials in my Department have been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and can assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector. The primary Principle set out in the Framework is that blended working must support the business needs of the Organisation. Blended working presents an opportunity to meet business needs in a new way of working; to enhance service delivery; underpin business continuity; and improve the performance of organisations, provided the role being performed is suitable to be carried out remotely.
The Framework will be finalised over the coming months, following engagement with employee representatives. When this engagement has concluded and the Framework is agreed, it will be rolled out to all civil service organisations. The Framework will provide consistency on certain issues and inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.
