Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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423. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level at which he deems it acceptable for staff to return to the office given persons are only due to return to their offices under level 1 or 2 restrictions (details supplied). [17320/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Civil Service HR Policy Division within my Department regularly issues Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19. The most recent update was released on the 8th of March 2021. Section 1.1 of this document, which is based on public health advice and the Resilience and Recovery Plan 2021, provides guidance for employers in relation to who should attend the work premise during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead plan was published by the Government on 23 February 2021. Within the plan there is a Framework for Restrictive Measures with five levels. Below is the work-related information for each of the levels. It should be noted that the employer will determine the essential roles which need to attend the workplace throughout the levels, taking into account the differing requirements at each level of the Framework for Restrictive Measures (see outline of levels below). Regard should be had to any changes to work premises attendance that may be required at each level of the Framework and workplace attendance plans and requirements should be communicated with employees.

The provision of services to society continues to be a priority for the public service during COVID-19. In addition, the Resilience and Recovery Plan identifies many public services as being essential during this time. Employers need to enable employees to be as productive as possible at all times, both in the work premises and in a blended and distributed workplace. Employers need to continue to be innovative in terms of new ways of working including maximising and fully exploring distributed and hybrid work models, where applicable. Employees have a role to play by cooperating with employers and in being proactive in identifying how they can increase value and how their roles can be performed effectively in the new and changing environment. During COVID-19, in order to ensure maximum efficiency, employees may be assigned work outside their usual core duties/given a new role.

The Framework provides for home working to continue where possible. Home working will continue as and when deemed appropriate by the employer, having regard to the changes that may be required at each level of the Framework. Home working must be balanced with the requirement to continue to provide the most effective and efficient services to the public, in line with the provisions of the framework.

- Level 1:Work from home if possible. Attend work for specific business requirements and on a staggered attendance basis.

- Level 2:Work from home if possible. Attendance at work for essential on-site meetings, inductions and training.

- Level 3:Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.

- Level 4:Only essential or other designated workers should go to work.

- Level 5:Work from home unless it is for work which is in essential health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.

Employers must ensure that all work premises have implemented robust pre-return to workplace procedures, where not already in place, and that all procedures comply with the Work Safely Protocol. These procedures should be clearly communicated to employees. The Protocol, which is a revision of the previous Return to Work Safely Protocol, was published on 20 November and incorporates current public health advice. It outlines the measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to facilitate the re-opening of workplaces following temporary closures.

Employers should ensure that they have properly implemented the advice in the Protocol and ensure that it is tailored, where necessary, to meet the unique set of circumstances pertaining to each sector and workplace location.

Some employers have continued to have employees in their work premises during the restrictions. Employers should ensure that the new Protocol is reviewed in respect of all employees i.e. employees required to return to the work premises and those employees who have continued to work on site. There may be additional issues to consider to ensure compliance with the Protocol for those employees who are already working onsite.

All employees have a critical role in ensuring that the procedures of the Protocol are followed to suppress COVID-19 in their workplace. It is incumbent on all employees who are required to attend the workplace to fully comply with their organisation’s COVID response plan. Cooperation between employees, the lead worker representative(s) and the employer are fundamental to ensuring that the measures are adhered to.