Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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72. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21047/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Cycle to Work Scheme, which was introduced in 2009, is implemented under a salary sacrifice arrangement through an employee's salary.  Under this arrangement, my Department funds the purchase of a bicycle and/or safety equipment for the employee who agrees to forego or sacrifice part of his or her salary for over an agreed period in order to cover the cost.  The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board and its secretary is provided from the staff of my Department.

Since the onset of Covid 19 in early 2020, my Department has actively encouraged staff to work from home, as far as is practicable, in line with public health advice.