David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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909. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the directions provided to the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service that fall under the direction of his Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11881/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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During Storm Emma, my Department operated in accordance with the guidance provided by the National Emergency Coordinating Group (NECG), which my Department is represented on. On foot of the NECG advice all Government Offices were closed on 1 and 2 March during the status red weather warning.

I am advised that, while staff were directed to stay at home during Storm Emma, no pay or annual leave was deducted from staff in my Department. My Department's ICT systems enable many of the staff to work from outside their main office locations using official ICT equipment; therefore, while the main buildings may have been closed, it was possible for key staff to work from home during the storm.