Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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274. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to protect staff working in open plan offices in Departments; if the advice is for staff to remain working from home if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25049/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to employee safety and attendance in the work premises, the Return to Work Safely Protocol sets out the steps employers need to take to make their work premises safe during COVID-19. Employers should implement the advice in the protocol and, where necessary, ensure that it is tailored to meet the unique set of circumstances pertaining to each sector and workplace location.

The Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 Plan for Living with COVID-19 sets out five levels of a Framework for Restrictive Measures. The Framework provides for home working to continue where possible across the five levels. Civil service departments and offices will continue with this arrangement where possible unless attendance at the workplace is needed for the provision of public services. My Department supports civil and public service employers by providing regularly updated guidance on working arrangements during COVID-19.