Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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365. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons within his Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48728/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In line with Government advice, my Department implemented a phased, return-to-the-workplace schedule in February 2022. Since March, staff have been required to attend the workplace on a minimum of three days per week.

Currently, staff who wish to work remotely for up to two days per week can request this option through their local management. All applications for remote working are approved by managers with due consideration to the suitability of both the applicant and the role, along with the requirements of relevant teams and business areas.

For the future, as required under the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations,my Department has launched its own Blended Working Policy which enables staff to enter into a formally arrangement to work remotely up to two days per week.

The facility for making this formal application for blended working commenced on 3^rdOctober 2022 and the formalised arrangements are scheduled to begin from 17^thOctober 2022. It is envisaged that information on specific locations will be available after that point.