Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2018
51. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if bullying or sexual harassment claims have been lodged in his Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place in his Department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2313/18]
View answerI can confirm that no bullying or sexual harassment claims have been received in the years since 2011 in respect of civil servants employed by my Department.
One case of alleged bullying and harassment has resulted in compensation being paid out to a civilian employee by the Department. The case was settled in 2015 and the terms of the settlement, including the amount of compensation, decreed that it was confidential to the parties involved. An investigation is currently underway into an allegation of bullying in respect of a civilian employee of my Department.
The Civil Service Dignity at Work Policy was rolled out to all civil service staff in my Department in 2015 and staff are reminded of the aims of the Policy, which deals with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, annually. The Policy is also provided to all new staff joining my Department and is posted on the Department's Intranet. A similar policy is in place for civilian employees of my Department.
