It is a central policy of my Department to ensure that managers and staff encourage and maintain good employee relations in order to ensure a motivated workforce and an efficient service. The Dignity at Work - Civil Service anti–bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy is the civil service policy for dealing with harassment, sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace. It applies to all staff working in this Department, including staff on contract.
Under this policy, every officer has a right to carry out her/his duties free of any form of harassment, sexual harassment or bullying. All complaints or queries raised in relation to bullying, harassment and sexual harassment will be treated seriously, fairly and in the strictest of confidence. Complaints are dealt with through informal resolution, or if that is not successful, through mediation or formal investigation. Staff who are found to have harassed, sexually harassed or bullied other staff may be subject to disciplinary action. No claims of bullying have resulted in the payment of compensation in this Department.
With regard to the four agencies within my remit, I can confirm that the Oberstown Children Detention Campus and the Adoption Authority of Ireland have effective anti-bullying policies in place and these policies are available to all staff. No payments have been made by either agency in compensation for bullying claims.
As the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they reply directly to you.
I have also forwarded the question to Tusla and asked that they reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
The referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
