Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Team working and cross functional working
21.5 There will be situations where work can be discharged in the most effective manner by assigning
particular tasks to a group comprising people in different grades and disciplines. The operation of
such a group may require variations in traditional reporting relationships involving members of the
team reporting to another member in a different discipline or cross organisational working. As already
provided for under the terms of previous agreements, all of the parties will co-operate fully with
initiatives in these areas and it remains open to management to implement such initiatives in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
New Technology and eGovernment
21.6 Co-operation with the use of new technology will continue. It is accepted that the use of new
technology may necessitate significant change in work processes in order that the benefits of
technology will be maximised.
21.7 eGovernment projects are a growing feature of work in the public service and have the potential to
provide existing, combined and new services to the public in a more effective and efficient way. There
will be full co-operation with the design and implementation of these projects. Where necessary,
appropriate and timely training will be provided to staff.
Atypical working arrangements
21.8 Some areas of the public service have reached agreements on a range of atypical working which
facilitates staff, for example worksharing and term time working. Agreements are also in place in
some areas covering arrangements for the use of part-time or contract staff and the outsourcing of
work. To give greater clarity and flexibility in regard to these arrangements, it is accepted that, where
not already agreed, the work pattern may be such that specific work processes can be performed most
effectively by part-time staff.
21.9 It is also accepted that there will be situations where the need to respond to temporary pressures may
require the employment of temporary staff or outsourcing of work. In particular, where there is a
temporary and/or non-recurring requirement for work which is not part of the core work (for example
data capture of manual records as part of the introduction of new technology), management may, at
its discretion, have the work undertaken by contractors. Unions will be notified in advance of
initiatives of this kind in accordance with paragraph 21.12 below.
Attendance Patterns
21.10 The standard working week of most public servants will remain unchanged. However, in order to
provide a satisfactory level of service to the public, there is a need in certain areas for changes to the
standard working day in order to provide services outside the traditional “9 to 5” pattern. The parties
are committed to discussions to establish how this can best be achieved, where required. These
discussions will explore relevant issues including the scope for voluntary arrangements and flexible
working.
Part 2 Pay and the Workplace
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