Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to consider expanding the remote working policy to include a specific organisation (details supplied); to clarify whether this organisation currently has a remote working policy in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22965/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Education and Training Boards (ETBs) were established under the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013 (www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2012/83/) which provides that each ETB is a statutory body having its own corporate status. It is therefore the responsibility of each ETB to manage the day-to-day operation of the organisation, including the management of staff.

It should be noted that under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 an employee has the right to request flexible working including remote working. Additionally, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has prepared a Code of Practice for Employers and Employees which provides practical guidance to employers and employees on the general principles which apply in the operation of the statutory right to request remote working.

The ETB in question has informed my department that remote working guidelines are in place for administrative staff who, following the successful completion of probation, may apply to work remotely for a maximum of two days per week, dependent on the requirements of their role and subject to management approval.

The ETB also stated that it is recognised that remote working may not be possible for all roles as the core function of the organisation is the provision of education and training services for their learners and that the current guidelines are in the process of being updated.