Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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95. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a recent remote working report (details supplied) in which 88% of civil servants surveyed indicated that they feel as effective when working remotely as they are during normal working arrangements and that three-quarters of staff surveyed indicated that they would like to continue to access remote working in the future if given the choice; his plans to provide such choice for flexible and remote working for civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021. In this context, My Department is, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector. My Department is also working closely with the wider public sector to ensure a consistency of approach. To this end the Department is working on a Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisationswhich will assist those organisations in developing long-term remote working policies.

It is proposed that remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis, subject to roles being deemed as suitable to be carried out remotely.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions taken to date on foot of the Budget 2020 announcement to review future workforce and office requirements for the Civil Service including the location of support offices and services to ensure consistency with the goals of Project Ireland 2040 and balanced regional development; the percentage of staff home and remote working on a permanent basis to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32378/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021.

In this context, my Department is now, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector.

Different working models are possible, one of which is the concept of regional Government office “hubs”. Similar to many Government buildings in provincial towns, establishing well located departmental office hubs is certainly one option for consideration. Any decision to set up regional hubs requires: careful analysis of the most suitable locations; must meet the operational needs of Government Departments; and must be consistent with the National Planning Framework.

There is no central information on numbers of Civil and Public Servants currently working from home.