Bullying in the Workplace

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017

Thursday, 29 June 2017

Questions (174)

Niall Collins

Question:

174. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is satisfied that anti-bullying policies are in place in her Department and in each State body and agency under her aegis; if such polices are being implemented effectively; the amount paid in compensation for bullying claims in each of the past five years in her Department and in each State body and agency under her aegis in tabular form; the action that has been taken to ensure such cases do not arise in future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30745/17]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation. I am advised that the Dignity at Work Policy - an anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service, which came into effect in February 2015, is implemented effectively in my Department. It aims to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. Every member of staff is made aware that all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner. There have been no compensation claims for bullying in my Department in the past 5 years.

In relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department, this is a matter for the agencies themselves however, I am advised that the position is as set out in the following table.

		Compensation Paid for Bullying Claims
Agency	Is there an anti-bullying policy in place?	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
Board of Ulster Scots	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Chester Beatty Library	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Crawford Art Gallery	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Foras na Gaeilge	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Irish Film Board	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Irish Museum of Modern Art	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
National Concert Hall	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
National Gallery of Ireland	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
National Library of Ireland	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
National Museum of Ireland	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
The Arts Council	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
The Heritage Council	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Údarás na Gaeltachta	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Waterways Ireland	Yes	Nil	€80,000	Nil	Nil	Nil
Western Development Commission	Yes	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil