Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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849. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills 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. [42708/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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850. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42758/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 850 together.

Staff of my department have been working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which had provided for home working to continue where possible. This was also the position adopted by aegis bodies of my department. Following the Taoiseach's announcement on the 1st of September, my department is now in the process of planning for a phased return to the workplace.

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/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.