David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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618. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18170/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that a central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service has recently been finalised in conjunction with employee representatives, and published on Thursday 31 March.

This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.

The Blended Working Framework sets out a number of core principles to apply to blended working across the Civil Service. Key to all this is the duty of Departments to deliver a quality service to Government, the Oireachtas and the public with flexibility and agility. There is recognition also of a need to create opportunities for people to balance their working and personal lives more effectively where possible.

My Department has commenced work on developing its own blended working policy and arrangements, which take into account our specific business needs and requirements, while remaining grounded in the Civil Service Framework. Blended working implementation and arrangements are expected to commence by end June 2022.