John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

29. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost to the public service in 2021 of remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/22]

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

It is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister to manage expenditure within their respective allocations. This is the case for all public expenditure, including core expenditure, as well as additional expenditure allocated as part of the response to Covid-19.

The response to the Covid-19 crisis was swift, with many Civil and Public Servants transitioning to working from home at short notice. This was an unprecedented action, but was necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff across the system was protected.

No additional expenditure allocations were provided to Departments to facilitate working from home arrangements or flexible working hours across the Civil Service in response to Covid-19. Any additional funding incurred by Departments including in respect of IT resources required has been met from within existing resources.