Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning for its own employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47927/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On foot of advice received, and in the interest of customer and staff safety, all Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offices closed on 16thOctober 2017. Staff and customers were advised of this using all available channels, including internal email, media and the Department’s website and Twitter account.

Customers who had appointments scheduled on that day were contacted subsequently to reschedule their appointments.

No payments were affected due to appointments being cancelled.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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468. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the protocols that are in place or the rules or guidelines that issued by her Department to employers during a status red weather warning; the guidance that was issued to employers, the self employed and those working in the public sector regarding reporting for work on 16 October 2017 during the status red storm warning; her views on whether binding statutory regulations should be in place to protect workers and save lives as outlined in correspondence (details supplied). [47937/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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First of all, I would like to acknowledge the sad circumstances that gives context to this question and would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family concerned.

I understand this question is being asked of all Government Departments and each Minister will reply on behalf of their Department in relation to their own employees. On foot of advice received and in the interest of customer and staff safety, all Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offices closed on 16thOctober 2017. Staff and customers were advised of this using all available channels including internal email, media as well as the Department’s website and Twitter account.

My Department did issue a notice in relation to whether employees had a statutory right to be paid in the event of severe weather events like 16th October last, as responsibility for the Payment of Wages Act is within my remit: .

The notice was in line with the guidance provided by the Workplace Relations Commission on this matter.

The recent transfer of functions in the area of Labour Affairs did not include Occupational Health and Safety policy and legislation, which remains the responsibility of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.