Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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67. To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons his Department has changed its policy on blended work for staff of his Department; the rationale for the change; what it will mean for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3840/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that there has been no change to my Department's Blended Working Policy.

My Department published its Blended Working Policy in July 2022 which was developed in line with the parameters of the Civil Service Blended Working Framework.

The Department adopts a flexible and sustainable approach to remote working which allows staff to do so on a blended basis to balance both personal and work commitments.

The key principles of my Department's Blended Working Policy are as follows:

1. The Office will remain the principal workplace;

2. A ‘fluid and flexible” approach to blended working;

3. Attendance patterns in the office are driven by business needs;

4. Remote working for two or three days a week (or less remote working when required for business needs);

5. There is no 100% remote working option available;

6. Anchor day(s) as necessary where team/Unit/Division would be in the office together as required;

7. Sufficient flexibility to enable staff who wish to attend the office 100% to do so.

In line with the above principles attendance patterns in the office are driven by business needs and remote working is available for the majority of staff two or three days a week (or less remote working when required for business needs).

The ability to successfully meet the needs of the business and ensure the highest level of strategic policy advice is available for Government is the foremost consideration in assessing the levels of blended working available to our staff.

Attendance in the office is critical to allow for face-to-face interaction within teams, to assist new staff with adapting to their new role and work environment and collaboration with colleagues and to ensure the highest level of services are delivered to our stakeholders.