Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within his Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42702/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This has meant employees working from home, but also attending the workplace to carry out essential work that cannot be discharged from home.

A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department or Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas. Once the framework is finalised, my Department will develop a policy, appropriate to the business needs of the organisation. An assessment of all elements of such an approach will be undertaken as part of that process. As my Department is headquartered outside Dublin, this assessment will address employees within regions outside Dublin.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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489. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42752/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This has meant employees working from home, but also attending the workplace to carry out essential work that cannot be discharged from home.

A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department or Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas. Once the framework is finalised, my Department will develop a policy, appropriate to the business needs of the organisation. An assessment of all elements of such an approach will be undertaken as part of that process.

The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.