Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [42700/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a significant Civil Service employer and is also one of the most geographically diverse Departments, encompassing a very significant regional footprint.

The Department's staff already provide a variety of services to the Irish public and the agri-food sector in a diverse array of roles and from multiple regional locations. Department staff operate throughout the country working in our headquarters offices, regional and local offices, laboratories, fishery harbour centres, food production sites, farms, air and sea ports, as well as carrying out inspections on private farms and various food production facilities.

A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of 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.

Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that my Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.

Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1584. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42750/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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All Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible.

As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the Department will facilitate a meaningful transition back to the normal place of work, particularly for staff who have been working from home for the majority of the period in question. This will involve a gradual phased return of staff to the workplace and will be done in accordance with prevailing public health advice. This transition phase will involve for many staff a blend of remote working and attendance in the workplace.

A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of 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.

Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that the Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.

Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation. Engagement with state agencies under the aegis of DAFM has been ongoing with a view to facilitating a broad consistency of approach, and this engagement will continue to be maintained.