Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
8. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in her Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28920/26]
View answer9. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of her Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28938/26]
View answer10. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any review is ongoing in relation to her Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in her Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28956/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together.
My Department has a Flexible Working policy that allows officers at Clerical Officer, Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer level and equivalent to work under the flexible working hours provisions. There is no discrepancy in the Flexible Working policy based on seniority in these grades.
The Blended Working policy for my Department is framed within the context of the broader Civil Service Policy on Blended Working. All officers in my Department who avail of blended working are required to attend the office at least 50% of the time, averaged over a four-week period. There are no plans for a review of the policy at this point. There is no discrepancy in the Blended Working policy based on seniority in the grade.
There are no bodies or agencies under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
