Department staff concerned over lack of social distancing at Limerick office

STAFF at the Department of Social Protection in Limerick have expressed concern over dozens of employees returning to the office, despite clear advice from the Government to work from home if possible. 

In addition to the Government’s Level 3 guidelines that workers should operate from home if possible, Minister Simon Harris has advocated for the same, and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has even mooted the idea of workers having the legal right to work from home.

Ahead of the move to Level 5 restrictions, it is understood that more than 50 staff at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection were deployed to desk work at Dominic Street, with some raising concerns over safe social distancing.

Widely circulated return-to-work documents, seen by this reporter, show that the maximum that can be allowed on the ground floor of the building is 27 staff, and that all staff are two metres apart from each other. 

The document does say that it is accepting requests for working-from-home applications, however, but that not everyone can be facilitated. 

However, sources say that it has gone from more than 20 staff in the building to a total of 54. Around 10 of these staff are understood to be non-desk staff. The Leader was told that there is no ‘pod’ system and that staff “mingle freely” in the office. 

It is understood that up to Wednesday, just over 10 staff were working from home, and that while guidance suggests there is two metres distancing “this is not the reality in the office”.

It is understood that some staff have also moved to another department office in Pery Court, which is close to Dominic Street. Sources say that there is a “concern” that staff “will get it and spread it to other staff” or members of the public coming to the offices on a daily basis as opening hours have increased.

It's unclear what measures have been introduced since the Level 5 restrictions took effect. 

The Limerick Leader contacted the Department for a comment in relation to these concerns, asked why staff have moved from Dominic Street to Perry Court, and if the Department will allow employees to work from home if they want to.

In response a spokesperson said: "Limerick Intreo Centre provides an essential service to the residents of Limerick City, East Limerick, parts of West Limerick and South East Clare. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Limerick Intreo has contributed to the processing of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment nationally, and maintained and processed Jobseeker payments and related claims for all of Limerick and areas within its remit. 

"Staff safety and protection is of critical importance, so to meet social distancing requirements and in consultation with staff, Limerick Intreo Centre introduced a variety of work patterns, including 12 hour shifts and working from home. Staff numbers in attendance at the office varied from 23 to 36 on a daily basis. Over time, these work patterns have changed to a combination of pre-Covid hours, working from home and blended work attendance. 

"To ensure all the necessary safety protocols could be implemented (including 2 metre distancing, pod-working and one-way systems), some additional office space in Pery Court was utilised. Staff have been consulted at all times, and all Covid protocols have been adhered to.  There are on average 45 staff based in Dominic Street Intreo Centre, and 7 staff in Pery Court daily. Under Covid Level 5 Guidance, from Thursday 22 October, Intreo Centres will be open to the public on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 1pm. Pery Court is not open to the public. 

"The option to work from home, within operational requirements, is available to staff and there is regular engagement with staff on working arrangements.  The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection promotes a digital first customer engagement. Customers can use www.MyWelfare.ie to submit Jobseeker payment applications, request statements etc. in an expanding online service."