Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13546/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In advance of the COVID-19 restriction measures, officials at the HR Unit of my Department engaged with the management of the line sections in the various locations within my Department in order to put measures in place which involved a combination of some onsite essential working and wider remote working arrangements.  The HR Unit in conjunction with the Corporate Services Unit of my Department continues to monitor and issue relevant guidance to Department staff as required,

I am also aware that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has just issued guidelines for all civil service organisations (Working from Home during COVID-19 – Guidance for Civil Service Organisations), which will further assist civil service organisations to address the ongoing health and safety risks of COVID-19. 

 That Department has also commenced work on the development of a remote working policy which will address remote working in the longer term for the civil service. My Department will be guided by these central policies in the development, including consultation with staff, of a tailored working from home policy which meets the business needs of this Department and it’s staff.