Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to his Department in civil service accommodation outside Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22481/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Outside of Dublin city my Department has office accommodation in Balbriggan in County Dublin as well as in Cork and Limerick cities.

Usage of desks in the Passport Offices in Balbriggan and Cork varies considerably throughout the year, in line with demand for passports. During the busiest months of March-August all workspaces are normally fully utilised, while during September-February lower numbers of temporary staff are engaged and some desks are left temporarily vacant.

The offices in Limerick accommodate staff from Irish Aid/Development Cooperation and Africa, Corporate Services and Finance Divisions as well as from our Evaluation and Audit Unit. A small number of vacant workspaces in Limerick are used as "hot-desks" by colleagues visiting from other offices.

Notwithstanding all of the above, in line with Government policy relating to the Covid-19 pandemic many of the Department’s staff are currently working from home as often as possible, except where essential duties require physical presence in the office.