Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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169. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has adopted the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Conduct on the Right to Disconnect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53815/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is developing central guidance for the Civil Service to inform the development of individual Departmental policies adopting the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Conduct on the Right to Disconnect.

Pending that central guidance, discussions are ongoing in my Department in relation to the development of an internal policy for the Department of Health. In the meantime, there is regular communication with line managers and their team members in relation to the importance of ensuring that working hours are in compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act. All those working in the Department are actively and consistently encouraged to take regular breaks, to keep to normal working hours and to avail of their annual leave entitlements.

My Department also plans to implement a formal blended working policy for its employees to take effect from the early months of 2022 in line with a central framework currently under development for the Civil Service.

Alongside other flexible working policies already in place, these new policies will assist in ensuring that those working in the Department of Health continue to have opportunities to balance their personal and professional responsibilities in a sustainable way which contributes towards their overall wellbeing.