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Departmental Policy Functions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (20)

Carol Nolan

Question:

20. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11826/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is fully committed to ensuring that our staff and workplace are representative and reflective of the people and society we serve.

Within the Department, a Sub-Committee of the Management Board on Gender Equality was first established in 2012 to improve gender balance. In 2017, the Sub-Committee’s remit was formally expanded to include broader diversity, equality and inclusion issues as outlined in the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts, together with the issue of discrimination on socio-economic grounds.

The Sub-Committee is a key governance structure for the consideration of equality and diversity issues. In December 2019 this structure was formally expanded to include the support of six voluntary staff Working Groups – on Gender, LGBT+, Social Inclusion, Disability, New Irish and Ethnic and Parents and Carers. The Working Groups prepare annual action plans to promote diversity and inclusion, for approval by the Sub-Committee. Policy on these issues is led and managed by the Department’s Human Resources teams and is informed by central Civil Service policies. The Sub-Committee is chaired by two members of the Management Board. The initiative works to foster a culture of respect and equality to benefit the Department, its staff and ultimately, the citizens served. Significant progress has been made on a number of Departmental initiatives to address barriers to equality in our workplace.

The Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022 has a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion as one of its four pillars, underscoring its commitment to the development of this agenda. The Strategy was developed through wide-scale consultations with the Department’s staff both in Ireland and Missions overseas.

The Sub-Committee, in cooperation with Human Resources and other sections, runs regular events to celebrate and support equality and diversity at home and through our Mission network overseas. Last year was the first year the Department participated, along with other Civil Service Departments, in the Dublin Pride parade and also saw a series of seminars for staff on issues relating to equality, diversity and inclusion, such as “Women in Diplomacy” gender equality seminars and Black History month initiatives. In 2020 to date, social media campaigns and events were held to mark International Women’s Day in March under the theme of “Each for Equal”, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May) and National Carers Week (June). Plans are underway to celebrate Pride 2020 through digital campaigns across our Mission network.

The Department works closely with the Civil Service Management Board in the development of new approaches to gender equality and is represented on the committees of the 30% Club (public sector branch) and the recently established Civil Service Women’s Network. The Department is also a supporter of the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme and offered two placements on the programme in 2019.

I am committed to communicating our values to our partners around the world and to visible demonstrations of our support for human rights and equality. The Human Rights Unit in my Department supports Embassies in their engagement on these issues, including the provision of appropriate training to staff in advance of their postings overseas.

In January this year, the Department’s 18th annual Human Rights Civil Society Forum focused on the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to take stock of progress on gender equality.

This Department remains committed to progressing the values of diversity and inclusion and promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people.

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