Written answers

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

Department of An Taoiseach

Central Statistics Office

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach if he will address a matter in relation to a person (details supplied) employed in the Central Statistics Office. [42379/22]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with Government advice regarding resuming work at employers’ premises as COVID related restrictions were relaxed, CSO staff commenced a regime of one day per week on-site attendance at their designated CSO office in September 2021, rising to two days per week in February 2022. These arrangements were communicated as forming part of a “transition phase” of post-COVID CSO Office attendance, pending finalisation of the civil service Blended Working Framework, published on March 31st 2022, which provided the basis for the development of the CSO’s own recently finalised Blended Working Policy.

On the basis of extenuating circumstances, a limited number of alternative “transition phase” attendance arrangements were agreed reflecting specific personal-to-holder considerations, decided on a case-by-case basis. As with other “transition phase” arrangements, the latter were clearly identified as being in place pending implementation of the CSO Blended Working Policy.

The CSO’s Blended Working Policy attendance model combines time spent working from a designated Home workstation with time spent working on-site from an assigned CSO premises and access to this flexibility is contingent on satisfying a combination of eligibility criteria comprising an assessment of role suitability, person suitability and ergonomic assessment of the available home workspace.

The CSO physical offices will continue to be the primary workplace for all employees as designated during the point of hire, which is consistent with the Civil Service wide policy. Where role, person and ergonomic suitability assessments are deemed satisfactory, the Policy provides that CSO staff may apply to work from a designated home workspace up to a maximum of 60% of weekly rostered hours. This equates to up to three full days in a standard working week for FTEs (pro-rata for work sharers). Final determination of the appropriate level of on-site versus homeworking within the parameters provided for in the Policy rests with section/team or Divisional Managers and such decisions are taken having regard to meeting the needs of the business.

CSO Staff will be given the opportunity to submit their application for Blended Working from mid-September 2022. The Policy will come into effect from November 1st 2022 and all prior attendance arrangements will then lapse. Any staff member not having applied for or not having been approved on application for Blended Working will thereafter be required to attend at the employer’s premises on a whole-time basis by default, where this is consistent with their contract of employment.

Blended Working, where made available, is a flexible benefit not an entitlement or a right and is subject to oversight, review and withdrawal at the discretion of line managers having regard to defined eligibility provisions and based on the needs of the business.

CSO HR and Line Managers have been engaging with staff in preparation for the opening of the application process (mid-September 2022). Any staff member with a specific query regarding Blended Working should speak to their line manager in the first instance, and then HR. During the last few months CSO HR have engaged with a number of staff, including the member of staff referred to in this PQ, in relation to concerns regarding Blended Working and has provided advice and guidance to inform staff of options open to them and to support decision making. CSO HR continues to be available to support staff as the Civil Service moves to a Blended Working model.

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