Written answers

Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Flexible Work Practices

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the interactions between her Department and education and training boards in relation to a hybrid working model for staff; the engagements that have taken place with staff in an education and training board (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11935/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Following recent changes to public health advice, a phased return to physical attendance in workplaces, for staff who had previously been working remotely, began with effect from Monday 24 January. How this will work in practice is a matter for each Civil and Public sector employer, including individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The approach is dependent on the individual circumstances of each workplace and the necessary business requirements.

However, there is a recognised need to focus on a longer-term approach to remote working which is consistent across the wider public sector. A process is therefore underway centrally, through engagement with relevant unions, to agree on a framework approach that can inform the development of organisational blended working policies which are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each public sector organisation. In due course, individual organisations will then develop their own blended working policies.

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to an education and training board (details supplied) to avail of a hybrid working model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11936/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following recent changes to public health advice, a phased return to physical attendance in workplaces, for staff who had previously been working remotely, began with effect from Monday 24 January. How this will work in practice is a matter for each Civil and Public sector employer, including individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The approach is dependent on the individual circumstances of each workplace and the necessary business requirements.

However, there is a recognised need to focus on a longer-term approach to remote working which is consistent across the wider public sector. A process is therefore underway centrally, through engagement with relevant unions, to agree on a framework approach that can inform the development of organisational blended working policies which are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each public sector organisation. In due course, individual organisations will then develop their own blended working policies.

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