Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken by his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within his Department who have access to cloud services for remote video-conferencing and the capacity to work remotely; his plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45377/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. With restrictions now lifting, extensive plans are being implemented to enable staff to transition gradually and safely to the shared workplace while maintaining an element of working from home, until a blended working scheme is formally in place.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are in consultation with Staff Representative Unions to agree a central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service. It is anticipated this will be finalised in the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific business requirements my Department.

My Department has robustly facilitated remote working for staff in roles across all office locations, where feasible, since March 2020. Given the remit of my Department, there was a conscious effort to minimise the pressure on the public transport system to support essential workers travelling safely throughout the pandemic restrictions. This has included the supply of IT and office equipment to enable an effective and productive working environment at home for our people. All staff who need it to perform work duties have access to cloud services for remote video-conferencing.

My Department has arrangements in place with suppliers via frameworks available under the Office of Government Procurement for the provision of Video Conference licensing, mobile hardware and peripherals to enable staff to continue to work remotely as required.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken by agencies under the remit of his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45394/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct answer, I can advise that the Programme for Government seeks to deliver a better life for all and the Government is committed to facilitating and supporting remote working.

The objective of the National Remote Work Strategy "Making Remote Work" is to ensure that remote working is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.

Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days.