David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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. [11880/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Employers across the Civil Service were responsible for managing attendance at work in their own organisations during Storm Emma. Civil Service organisations provide different and complex services in locations across the country. Each employer was best placed to determine the individual needs of their organisations and to assess the risks to staff of attending work. In certain areas of the Civil Service staff were required to be in work. In instances where facilities were available many civil servants worked from home on the days that offices were closed.

While there is no legal obligation on employers to pay staff who do not make it into work, other than where there may be contractual obligations, there are considerations from an engagement and morale perspective. Where a public office or service is closed by the employer on the basis that the risk was too great to the safety of the workforce and/or customers,  staff cannot come to work. There could be long-term implications if the employer then refused to pay staff for what is essentially a forced absence.