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DEASP call support is strictly temporary
by Bernard Harbor
 

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) has confirmed that the use of an external company to provide call centre support to the department is a one-off, short-term emergency measure.


The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) has confirmed that the use of an external company to provide call centre support to the department is a one-off, short-term emergency measure.

 

In an email to Fórsa, the department said internal staff, including those temporarily reassigned from other public service bodies, would continue to deliver the lion’s share of the department’s phone bank functions, and  there are no plans to reassign any DEASP staff to other public bodies.

 

The union also sought clarification from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) yesterday (Wednesday). DEPR confirmed that there was no intention to retain outsourced phone support beyond the short term.

 

The assurances came after the union demanded that the use of an external contractor should be for as short a time as possible – and certainly no more than the four weeks recently indicated to the union.

 

Earlier in the week, Fórsa also made it clear that the short-term temporary outsourcing of departmental work “should not, in any way, or at any time, be read as a precedent.”

 

The head of Fórsa’s civil service division, Derek Mullen, emailed the department on Monday (6th April), as it was revealed that over 700,000 people were now in receipt of State income supports.

 

He said the union expected the department to deploy public service temporary reassignments as a matter of urgency.

 

“If an emergency arrangement with an external supplier is necessary in the short-term, this should be for the minimum possible period of time and certainly no longer than the short time necessary to ramp up the deployment of public service temporary reassignments,” he said.

 

Derek added: “Clearly, there can be no question of DEASP staff being reassigned during this period, given the emergency that you have identified. And it hardly needs saying that Fórsa’s position is that this should not – in any way, or at any time – be read as a precedent.”

 

The union acted after senior departmental officials revealed their intention to employ external resources to increase the DEASP’s phone-answering capacity for a short period.

 

Derek said the union fully shared the desire “to ensure a speedy response to the unprecedented surge in claims associated with the new cornonavirus-related schemes.” He noted that the department’s staff had processed ten months’ worth of claims in a ten-day period.

 

He said it was disappointing that the department had not consulted with the union “particularly in light of the unprecedented effort, commitment and productivity that our members have demonstrated over the past two weeks, and which the Secretary General acknowledged in his message to them last Thursday.”

 

In normal times, Fórsa would oppose outsourcing of this kind – and it would normally be deemed in breach of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA).

 

The department has said it aims to increase additional capacity in the Covid-19 Income Support Help Line by increasing the numbers of internal staff and colleagues from across the public service.

And it concedes that the deployment of external supplies is "an emergency temporary response designed to respond to an unprecedented situation."

 

Garda vetting expedited
by Róisín McKane
 

Thousands of Garda vetting applications have been expedited by the Garda national vetting bureau in a bid to get additional staff to the front line as a matter of urgency.


Thousands of Garda vetting applications have been expedited by the Garda national vetting bureau in a bid to get additional staff to the front line as a matter of urgency.

 

Personnel in the vetting bureau have processed 5,500 applications since 12th March.

 

Fórsa official Thomas Cowman praised the hard work and dedication of its employees.

 

“Civilian staff at the Garda vetting bureau are pulling out all the stops, working exceptionally hard during this difficult time,” he said. “The commitment and drive of the workers must be commended.”  

Most revenue staff working remotely
by Róisín McKane
 

The Revenue Commissioners has confirmed that over 80% of its staff are now working remotely under new social distancing measures introduced to combat the coronavirus.


The Revenue Commissioners has confirmed that over 80% of its staff are now working remotely under new social distancing measures introduced to combat the coronavirus.

 

All Revenue offices are now closed to the public while all national phone lines functions, except the employers’ wage subsidy scheme, have switched to the Revenue On-line Service (ROS).

 

Fórsa official Geraldine O’Brien welcomed the measures. “These mutually-agreed actions allow our members to carry out their work safely during this time of crisis. If a worker has to attend the workplace, staggered shifts are in place to maintain social distancing to safeguard the welfare and safety of the staff,” she said.

 

Fórsa has also confirmed that Revenue is to extend the clocking system so that staff working remotely can clock in between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Sunday.

 

This is designed to help workers with familial or caring responsibilities, who may need to do their hours outside of the normal working week.

 

“This provision has been made to help staff span their work across the seven-day period to facilitate their own domestic arrangements. It doesn’t mean work has to be carried out past the normal weekly working hours,” said Geraldine.

Shorter working year flexibilities sought
by Bernard Harbor
 

New flexibilities introduced on foot of the Covid-19 emergency will give civil service managers the option to cancel or postpone individual ‘shorter working year’ arrangements, but only with the consent of the worker involved.


New flexibilities introduced on foot of the Covid-19 emergency will give civil service managers the option to cancel or postpone individual ‘shorter working year’ arrangements, but only with the consent of the worker involved.

 

The new measures also allow for individuals on the shorter working year to apply to cancel the arrangement in “exceptional circumstances.” But their manager can turn down the request if they see no ‘business requirement’ for it.

 

The changes are set out in new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) guidance to managers, which says “the expectation is that any shorter working year arrangement that is scheduled will go ahead as planned.”

 

The shorter working year scheme allows civil servants to apply for special unpaid leave for continuous periods of not less than two weeks, and not more than 13 weeks, at any time during the year. A maximum of three periods, amounting to 13 weeks, are available.

Assurances sought for staff at higher risk
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa this week published new guidance for health staff and other workers who are working in, or could be asked to work in, environments where there is a higher-than-average risk of contracting the coronavirus.


Fórsa this week published new guidance for health staff and other workers who are working in, or could be asked to work in, environments where there is a higher-than-average risk of contracting the coronavirus.

 

The union, which represents workers across the civil, public, private, voluntary and semi-state sectors, is committed to co-operating with emergency measures to contain the virus, protect citizens and workers, and maintain essential services during the unprecedented public health emergency.

 

And its general secretary Kevin Callinan said that Fórsa members had shown a determination to co-operate with efforts to beat the virus and protect and care for citizens.

 

“All of us are hugely grateful to the large number of workers in various sectors whose jobs mean they are – or could be – in contact with people who have the virus. We appreciate that this puts them at higher risk than most, and we value and admire the exceptional contribution they’re making in this crisis.

 

“Now we want management in the HSE and elsewhere to underline their safety commitments to staff who must work in environments of heightened risk with regard to Covid-19,” he said.

 

The union has sought the following commitments:

 

  1. Volunteers should be sought for higher-risk tasks and work areas wherever possible
  2. For the protection of patients, clients, the public and workers themselves, staff must have the training and qualifications required to undertake their allocated tasks and functions safely and effectively
  3. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and training in the use and disposal of PPE, should be provided, along with any other necessary supports (eg, mental health support) that can reasonably be expected
  4. The individual family circumstances of staff should be taken into account when people are being allocated to higher-risk tasks and functions. In particular, those living with – or whose caring responsibilities demand contact with – elderly and other high-risk groups should not be obliged to work in high-risk areas except in very exceptional circumstances, and
  5. Wherever possible, such workers should also receive other practical supports from their employer, including childcare supports
  6. There will be equity in the application of these criteria.

 

Kevin said the union’s new advice was not a criticism of public service managers. But he said fresh, clear and public reassurance would bolster staff commitment and morale as the country enters the next phase of the corona crisis.

 

“From the outset, Fórsa has advised its members to co-operate with all necessary measures, including some that might not be acceptable in normal times. Sometimes this will mean doing different things, in different ways, at different times – including being temporarily reassigned to different tasks and organisations,” he said.

 

Fórsa officials will be raising the union’s new stance with employers across the civil and public service.

 

Read Fórsa’s new advice HERE.

Flexitime temporarily suspended
by Bernard Harbor
 

Flexitime arrangements are to be temporarily suspended across the civil and public service as part of its response to the coronavirus crisis.


Flexitime arrangements are to be temporarily suspended across the civil and public service as part of its response to the coronavirus crisis. But balances already accrued by staff will remain in place and can be used once normal working arrangements are back in place.

 

In fact, flexitime has already either formally or effectively been suspended in the majority of public service employments where it was in place. These include the HSE, major civil service departments including social protection, and a number of local authorities.

 

The change, which is outlined in revised Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) guidance to employers published today (9th April), acknowledges the radical new ways of working that have been increased across the public service.

 

It says: “Many areas of the public service are under extreme pressure, and in order to keep delivering essential services to all our citizens we need flexibility and adaptability. The operation of traditional flexi-time and attendance management rules do not support the flexible arrangements and agility required during this extraordinary situation.”

 

DPER says that “it is crucial that we show solidarity as a unified one public service” at a time when Covid-19 has had an “unprecedented impact’ on normal working arrangements.

Feature Article
Support when you need it most

Fórsa’s range of support helplines remains in action during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Our free 24-7 phone lines provide confidential counselling (1850-776655) and legal advice (1850-77-66-44), including free legal help in bodily injury cases. And you can contact the union directly HERE if you have a work-related problem.


Also in this issue
Over €30 million paid in State aid
by Róisín McKane
 

Staff at the Revenue Commissioners have processed over €30 million of State aid payments during the coronavirus pandemic, Fórsa has confirmed.

 

Over 8,000 employers have signed up to the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme, which ensures that workers receive enhanced supports directly from their employer. Underwritten by the public purse, the scheme is available to organisations that temporarily close or lose business because of the pandemic.

 

Unemployment in the State has now reached 25%, and a significant number of those affected are eligible for payments under the various aid programmes. To date, more than 58,000 employees have benefited from the wage subsidy scheme.

 

Fórsa official Geraldine O’Brien has commended the Trojan efforts of Revenue workers. “We offer a huge ‘thank you’ to our unseen heroes who are carrying out this vital work, keeping our economy working as best it can during this crisis,” she said.

 

Get more information on the wage subsidy scheme HERE.

Covid-19: Advice to Fórsa members
 

Fórsa has updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for civil servants and staff in the wider public service. The advice covers attendance at work (including for pregnant workers and those with health vulnerabilities), salary protections for those self-isolating, temporary staff transfers, childcare and more. Read it HERE.

Updating your contact details
 

Fórsa is keen to ensure that all our members contact details are up to date.

 

By maintaining your current contact details we can ensure that up-to-the-minute, important information can be delivered directly to each and every member of the union.

 

This is especially important during the current national Covid-19 crisis. In the past few days we’ve been able to issue a series of special bulletins to members, keeping them in touch with the latest advice and guidelines from the HSE and employers.

 

However, if any member isn’t receiving this information, it means we don’t have a current email address for them on our system. This could be because they’ve moved departments or changed grades or employment etc.

 

If this sounds like the experience of one of your colleagues, please share this information with them and let them know we’re encouraging members to update their contact details with us in order to improve our communications service to members.

 

The union is also experiencing a high volume of members getting in touch with the communications unit directly to change their contact details as a result of new eircom policy taking effect later this month. Those members wishing to change the email address Fórsa contacts them on should also follow the directions outlined below.

 

It's also worth noting your home email address helps to ensure direct, safe and more effective communications with you than a workplace email address.

 

To update contact details, visit our website HERE and follow the directions to quickly update them.

Bringing culture to you at home
by Róisín McKane
 

Cultural institutions across the country were forced to shut their doors on 12th March, in one of the earliest restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Since then, Fórsa members and others in galleries and museums have been adapting to the new cultural landscape, and developing new ways to bring the arts to you in your home. Here’s a look at what’s on offer.

 

Chester Beatty Library: Since closing its doors, the Chester Beatty has developed and expanded its online offering. You can now take a virtual tour in 3D, visit its digital collections or explore learning resources for parents and teachers. It’s all on the website or you can also access this array of delights through the museum’s new mobile app

 

Cork City Gaol: Once home to 19th century prisoners, this heritage site is now in lock-down. But you can wander back in time and explore the wings of the gaol through this online tour.

 

Galway City Museum: The Galway City Museum has shut up shop. But its public talks are now available as podcasts. Listen to them HERE

 

Hugh Lane Gallery: The Dublin City Gallery is home to an exceptional collection of modern art. Under the governance of Dublin City Council, the museum has expanded its collection considerably. Since its temporary closure in March the gallery has invested in its digital services. Bringing you the #museumfromhome series, the gallery now provides online talks, delving into the works of art. For more information on the gallery’s online offerings click HERE.

 

Limerick Museum: The oldest local authority museum in the State boasts one of the country’s largest collections. Now, part of its collection is available online. See more HERE.

 

National Gallery of Ireland: The National Gallery is helping you stay culturally connected with its wide range of online offerings. Currently providing free virtual tours, the gallery has also produced a podcast series designed to support in-depth engagement with exhibitions. In light of the current global crisis, and the anxiety that can bring, the gallery has also migrated their mindfulness workshop online. You can learn more HERE.

 

National Library: The tomes may be collecting dust, but a range of online services is being maintained, with access to manuscripts, genealogy and digital catalogues still available. Shhh!

 

National Museum of Ireland: The National Museum is currently working to develop and increase their online content for students, parents and teachers. From archaeology to national history, there’s a range of resources available HERE.

 

The Model Gallery: One of Ireland’s most notable public art collections, The Model in Sligo is home to one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Butler Yeats. Although its doors remain closed, the gallery has implemented an alternative online programme, where people of all ages can learn more about art and artists from their homes. See more HERE

 

Wexford Opera House: A virtual visit to the opera is just a click away. Specialising in rarely-heard works, the Wexford Opera House has made productions from 2018 and 2019 available to watch on their YouTube channel.

 

Feel left out? Let us know if we’ve missed online cultural offerings from your workplace.

Fórsa: Here to support you
 

Fórsa is here to protect you if you have problems arising from the coronavirus or other workplace issues. The best way to contact the union at this time is HERE.

 

We will deal with queries as quickly as we can but, needless to say, the union will prioritise cases where members’ jobs and incomes are at immediate risk – as well as any serious health and safety issues that may arise.

 

Fórsa has cancelled all face-to-face meetings for the time being. The union is redeploying its staff to prioritise engagement with management on proposals arising from the Covid-19 public health crisis, and to provide rapid and efficient responses to members’ queries and concerns.

 

Fórsa's main phone line (01 817 1500) is now open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively members can use the Contact Us page on the Fórsa website to submit queries directly to the relevant division within Fórsa and this remains the most efficient way to access advice directly.

 

Wherever possible, Fórsa staff have been equipped to work remotely. Therefore, members should not attend Fórsa offices at this time. If you have a query or concern, the best way to raise it is to contact the union HERE.

Fórsa members fighting Covid-19
by Niall Shanahan
 

Fórsa has launched a social media campaign to highlight the work of members who are part of the public service-wide effort to tackle Covid-19.

 

Hidden Heroes focuses on individual members, their grade and current programme of work, illustrating the wide variety of skills and duties necessary to address the current health crisis.

 

On Tuesday (7th April), Fórsa posted the first in the Hidden Heroes series of social media posts, looking at the work of clinical biochemist Neda Sharifi , and Leo Whelan in hospital stores in Carlow/Kilkenny  featured yesterday (Wednesday).

 

Today we featured the work of Sandra Harkin in accounts payable. The union will publish a new story each day.

 

Fórsa lead organiser Kevin Donoghue, who is conducting a series of short interviews with members for the campaign, explained: “We wanted to celebrate the diverse community of Fórsa members mobilising to fight the virus. Fórsa is unique in that we represent people in so many different grades and sectors involved in the Covid-19 response.

 

“There is a tendency to think only of doctors, nurses and other medical staff, those we describe as ‘frontline’ workers in this context. They’re doing incredible work and it’s great to see their message - that all of us have individual responsibilities to stop the spread of Covid-19 – getting such a positive response nationwide.

 

“Our campaign is designed to complement that effort and that message. To show that those frontline workers aren’t alone, that there is a huge community of workers performing vital tasks, working in different ways and in different contexts to how they would usually work, and that each one of them is helping to make a difference,” he said.

 

Kevin is continuing to talk to members in local government, civil service, education, health and other sectors about their current programme of work in response to Covid-19. If you would like to take part in the campaign, please get in touch via the links below.

 

Get involved – tell us your story

 

Tell us about your Covid-19 work for the Hidden Heroes campaign. Have you been reassigned? Are you working remotely? Please get in touch.

 

Contact Kevin Donoghue HERE  or Niall Shanahan HERE with your contact details.