Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants currently working from home; the extent to which adequate technology has been provided to enable such persons to fully undertake and complete their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42377/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the requested information for every public body. A separate question would need to be submitted to each Minister to answer for their respective Departments and the bodies under their aegis.
In terms of my own Department, all staff in the Department, including the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), are enabled to work from home. There are 452 staff in the Department and 236 staff in the OGP. As part of the Department’s approach to blended working, all staff are required to attend the office at least three days per week. In addition to the provision of end user devices and the appropriate peripherals, my Department has built out a scalable, resilient remote access infrastructure that has provided, and continues to provide, reliable remote access services to users.
The position regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
At present, all office-based staff are currently required to attend the official workplace for at least two days a week. Approximately 750 staff connect to the office remotely on a daily basis. Staff whose roles are not office-based (e.g. drivers, guides, general operatives etc.) are largely working the same work patterns prior to the pandemic.
All OPW staff whose roles involve the use of computer technology have been provided with equipment (e.g. notebook computer, mobile devices, headsets etc.) and services (such as video conferencing and telephony) to allow them work from home as and when required.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
The Public Appointments Service currently has 272 staff and are operating a hybrid working model. At present, 269 PAS staff have access to working from home. However, there is a requirement for staff to attend the office on designated days each week. All staff working from home have been provided with laptops and, where necessary, any additional technical equipment required to fulfil the duties of their role from home, ensuring the continued provision of all services. PAS has also rolled out a digital infrastructure via Microsoft Teams to support effective digital collaboration and communications while operating in a hybrid model.
National Shares Services Office (NSSO)
The NSSO currently has a headcount of 814 staff with 93% of employees currently working in a blended working environment. The NSSO follows best practice in the design and operation of their technology solutions for staff and all necessary relevant hardware and software has been provided for staff to perform their respective functions. This has enabled the NSSO to continue to deliver all of its services since moving to working in a blended working environment.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman currently has 147 staff who work on a blended basis between the office and home. The Office’s ICT Unit has put a technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home if and when required.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory currently has 108 staff, of which 87 have access to remote working on a blended basis. A technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home and includes provision of end user devices and the appropriate peripherals where necessary. Services such as a remote meeting platform have also been provided to allow staff to work effectively from home.
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery is an office of up to 11 staff. The Office has a remote working policy in place which allows all staff to work from home, with a requirement to attend the office on at least one specified day per week. All ORNL staff have been provided with the required technology to allow them to continue to fully undertake and complete their responsibilities.
