Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public service staff were put on reduced hours or temporary lay-off during the Covid-19 pandemic. [57125/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 256 together.

My Department developed Guidance and FAQs on working arrangements and temporary assignments during COVID-19 for civil and public service employers. This Guidance and FAQs document has been continually updated to reflect public health and Government policy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAQs have been prepared to assist employees and management in the Civil and Public Service to understand the process, rules and expectations associated with work arrangements during the COVID-19 across the public service.

In order to continue to facilitate physical distancing and public health requirements, Civil and Public Service employers are providing for working from home where possible, and continuing temporary alternative arrangements e.g. flexible shifts, staggered hours, longer opening hours, blended working patterns, weekend working etc., where feasible.

An example of this flexibility is where an employee is required to restrict their movements as a close contact. In this case the employer should facilitate working from home. If remote working in an employee’s current role is not feasible, then the assignment of work may be outside of their usual core duties or they may be given another role. Employees must cooperate with all such flexibilities while they are restricting their movements. In all such cases, employees remain available for work whilst at home. It should be noted that this arrangement does not apply to employees where a quarantine period is required as a result of travel. For full details please see the link to the Guidance: www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/.