Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
311. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [11829/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department has responsibility for national strategies to drive action on equality, diversity and inclusion. Considerable progress has been made to date under the National Migrant Integration Strategy, the National Strategy for Women and Girls, the National Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
These strategies take a whole-of-Government approach to addressing the needs of diverse groups and to ensure their equal participation in Irish society. They are key steps forward in fostering a society which respects and celebrates diverse identities.
In addition, there are a range of initiatives in place at a Civil and Public Service level, including under Our Public Service 2020, where my Department is the co-sponsor of the Action stream dealing with the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion.
My Department has also recently established an Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Public Sector Duty Committee chaired at Assistant Secretary level, to coordinate and drive action within the Department itself. Through this committee, the Department is developing an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, with particular focus on its staff, customers and other key stakeholders.
The Department’s strategy will build on existing efforts and initiatives already being undertaken within the Department since 2019, for example establishment of the LGBT+ Staff Network, the Willing & Able Mentoring Programme (WAM), and the work of the Department’s access officer.
The LGBT+ Staff Network was established by staff to make the Department a more inclusive place for all through education and awareness raising. Since its foundation, it has run various initiatives, including on how to be a good ally in the workplace, the coming out process and how to support colleagues, and, most recently, to mark the start of Pride month.
The Willing and Able Mentoring Programme provides a paid six-month internship which matches participants with placements of specific relevance to their qualifications. A paid internship program for members of the Traveller Community is also currently being developed.
Furthermore, my Department has appointed an Access Officer in accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act. The Access Officer is responsible for providing, arranging or co-ordinating assistance to persons with disabilities who wish to access the services provided by the Department of Justice and Equality. The Access Officer also acts as a point of contact for persons with disabilities who wish to access such services.
These actions and the planned Department’s equality, diversity and inclusion strategy align with the Civil Service Renewal Plan and the People Strategy for the Civil Service (2017 – 2020), as well as with the work of the Public Appointments Service, as we seek to achieve greater diversity and build a Civil Service that reflects the society in which it works and the communities it serves.
