David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Finance the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18165/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that all staff of my Department have been working on a blended working pattern since 28 January 2022. Each Division/Business Unit has an “anchor day” each week when all the team attend the office. Blended working patterns are agreed at a local level to ensure business needs are met.

My Department is currently working on a Blended Working Policy in line with the overarching Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework, published 31^stMarch 2022. My Department’s policy will be in place by end Q2 at the latest and staff will then have the opportunity to apply for a formal blended working arrangement.

A number of support mechanisms have been put in place by my Department to assist staff in adjusting to working from home; these include ICT supports and the supply of some office equipment and regular workplace health and wellbeing initiatives. In addition, staff have been provided the opportunity to avail of one to one with ergonomic home workstation assessments to ensure they have an optimum workstation set up in the home working environment.