The Irish Government has decided that most Public Servants are to continue working from home until at least March 2022.
Announcing the plan, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath said while the pandemic was not over, it was timely to consider what the future of the workplace looked like.
“My Department was committed to implementing models of working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers,” Mr McGrath said.
“COVID-19 has brought a sudden and seismic change in working arrangements for everyone, but despite these challenges Civil Servants have adapted swiftly to working remotely,” he said.
Now Mr McGrath’s Department is developing a framework document to offer a consistent approach for so-called blended working arrangements.
“Individual Departments and offices will finalise and roll out their long-term blended working policies and implementation plans from September to March 2022,” the Minister said.
He said that during this period, a gradual return to the office could begin, to be decided on by each individual organisation having regard to their operational requirements.
“The pace of this transition will continue to be dependent on public health advice and the trajectory of the pandemic,” Mr McGrath said.
Fórsa, the largest Public Service union, welcomed the declaration, saying it was ready to engage with management to agree details.
However, the union’s General Secretary, Kevin Callinan warned that the plan should be rolled out across the entire public sector.
“We have waited a long time and immediate discussions are now needed to agree details and build on the momentum of the past 18 months,” Mr Callinan said.
Dublin, 17 July 2021
