David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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287. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18175/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Implementation of blended working arrangements commenced in September 2021 in my Department.My Department currently has an Interim Blended Working Policy in place to facilitate transition arrangements to blended working. Under this policy, staff are currently attending the office 2 days per week.

Following publication of the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework on 31 March 2022, my Department is committed to implementing a new blended working policy that aligns with and includes all the appropriate elements referred to in the Civil Service framework, and is also in line with business needs of the Department to ensure continued delivery of quality public services.

To facilitate remote working, the Department has provided laptops and mobile phones to staff where required and also carried out a home working health and safety assessment.

My Department will continue to provide employees with ongoing up-to-date guidance and supports on blended working arrangements.