A six-hour-shift working pattern has been introduced in the passport office following substantial engagement between Fórsa and management. The move comes in a bid to protect workers against the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as normal working arrangements resume.

Fórsa official Des Fagan acknowledged the work of both the union and passport office management in securing agreement.

“Over the Christmas period and in response to the unknown dangers of the Omicron Variant of Covid, staff were placed on a six hour early and late shift pattern. Around 50 members from the sites in Cork and Balbriggan advised of child caring difficulties with the new arrangements and these were eventually resolved with management accepting that the shifts imposed difficulties on carers and staff with child caring responsibilities,” he said.

A recent report has highlighted the surge in passport applications, with 80% of demand coming from non-Irish resident applications, which require additional processing time. Some 400 extra staff will be added to the passport services offices to meet the unprecedented demand.

All staff have now returned to normal working arrangements as Covid restrictions have eased, with substantial overtime availability as well as flexi arrangements now fully restored.

Des explained that the union’s Civil Service Division is providing regular updates to members, keeping them abreast of developments in the area. “These updates have generated a greater understanding amongst members in the frontline, of the issues involved, and hopefully reduced many of the concerns that arose,” he said.