Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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733. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has an established “working from home” policy or e-working policy that has been in effect since January 2015. The policy outlines the circumstances and the employees who are permitted to work from home, along with the frequency and  the environment  under which e- working can be undertaken with the approval of  the individual employee's manager or Head of Function.

However, due to the restrictions imposed in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, immediate adaptations to this policy were required as the majority of staff in my Department moved to working from home. The roadmap for reopening society and businesses is clear that remote working should continue for all those who can do so.  My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other Government Departments on the development of guidelines to underpin these arrangements.  The further adaptation of my Department's working from home or e-working policy will take account of the experience with working from home in the context of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and any further principles or guidelines developed centrally.