Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department's formal Blended Working Policy offers a varied attendance model from the minimum office attendance being one day per week, right up to full-time office attendance, in line with business requirements, individual suitability and workstation requirements. There is an annual application process. Approved Blended Working arrangements under the 2024 application process will become operational on the 29^thJanuary 2024.

The number of staff within my Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week was 3,997 at end of year 2022, and 4,118 at end of year 2023. The reminder work from the office full-time.

The percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week was 58% at end of year 2022, and 58% at end of year 2023.

The average hours of attendance are in line with DPENDR's Circular Revision of Working Hours in the Civil Service, 14/2022, noting the average working hours is 7 hours daily for full time staff.

Given the numbers of staff in DSP, the varying work patterns including shorter working year and family friendly arrangements, we do not collate information on the average working hours for staff who had an agreed blended working arrangement in 2022 and 2023. Blended working is approved, managed and monitored on the basis on number of days working remotely per week and is strictly subject to the business needs of the Department and the individual office - which can vary.

My Department uses the blended working application form, provided and administered for the Civil Service by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which does not record gender. DSP's gender breakdown across the Department as published in the DSP Gender Pay Report 2022 was, female 69% and male 31%, and in the DSP Gender Pay Gap Report 2023 was, female 68.73% and male 31.27%.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Agencies and Bodies under my aegis are Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority. The tables below highlight the position in both organisations.

Citizens Information Board