Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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373. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he is taking to facilitate remote working for staff in Departments; the number of staff who have applied to work from home on a part-time or permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63325/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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You will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.

In July, 2021, the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service, which was developed by the Civil Service Management Board.  The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.

Remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis.  In this context, Officials in my Department have also been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service.

It is intended that the Framework will be finalised following engagement with employee representatives. When this engagement has concluded and the Framework is agreed with the Civil Service Management Board, it will be rolled out to all civil service organisations. The Framework will inform the development of organisational blended working policies, which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.

The current Government advice is that everyone should work from home unless it is necessary to attend the workplace in person.