Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41958/21]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

248. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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. [42712/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42762/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 248 and 249 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy thatGovernment 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, including by my own Department, that are tailored to the specific requirements of each Department / Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.

The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has enabled the staff of my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, to work from home since March 2020, through the sourcing, procurement and supporting of laptops and software licences.  Since the pandemic began, my Department had spent €250,000 moving staff to remote working which has enabled my Department to remain fully operational. The cost associated with the Office of Government Procurement is €197,000. The Deputy should note that a portion of these costs would have been spent through the natural IT infrastructure replacement of PCs and laptops.

There is no process currently in place in my Department or the bodies under the aegis of my Department that provide staff members to apply to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis.  However, this process is being developed presently and will be available to staff, including those living in regional areas, in the coming months.

The requested costs in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.