Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
182. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, following engagement with staff, began new working arrangements to facilitate the transition to blended Working on Monday the 21st of March. Under the transition to blended working, staff are encouraged to work remotely for 2 days each week, from the Department's offices for 2 days each week and may work a third day either from home or from the office based on the business needs of the Department. These arrangements are planned to stay in place for 6 months, with the intention that we will be in a position to implement our formal Blended Working Policy at that point. The Department's Blended Working Policy will be fully aligned to Civil Service Blended Working Framework, which was publicly announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Ossian Smyth on the 31st March 2022.
The publication of the policy framework facilitates remote working on a blended basis across the Civil Service. It provides direction to individual organisations in the Civil Service to develop tailored policies on blended working that are appropriate to their business needs. It is also consistent with the Civil Service being an employer of choice. This move to blended working supports commitments in Our Rural Future, the Climate Action Plan and the National Planning Framework.
Blended working represents a fantastic opportunity to transform how we work, live, interact and deliver results for the citizen. I believe that blended working will facilitate and drive the Department, and each individual and team within it, to deliver on our vision as set out in Le Chéile 23, my Department's statement of strategy for a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland.
