Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1614. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within her Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42713/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1615. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42763/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1614 and 1615 together.

Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. 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.

My Department, like other civil service employers, hopes to transition staff back to the office during September 2021, on a staggered basis. It is intended that the enduring Blending Working policy will come into effect in April 2022. Currently, over 90% of my Department's staff are working either fully remotely or on a hybrid basis, this has been in place since March 2020 in line with public health advice.

The agencies under the remit of my Department are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff issues in compliance with statutory obligations, including observing public health advice and managing staff attendance patterns in their offices and remotely.