Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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230. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33980/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There were 449 people employed in my Department as of 31 May 2022.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working. In this context, my Department, in collaboration with Trade Unions, is currently finalising its own Blended Working Policy.

It is anticipated that this policy will be rolled out in the coming weeks. 

In the meantime, all staff, with the exception of those deemed essential to attend the workplace on a full-time basis, e.g. staff in the CMO’s office, have the option to work remotely 2 days per week.  This is pro-rated for staff who work on a part time or work share basis.

As there was no policy or framework for remote working prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have no records of any staff in my Department ordinarily working from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.