Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
662. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [11833/20]
View answerThe Department is committed to prioritising diversity and inclusion. In 2019, the Department’s HR Division undertook an extensive consultation with staff over a number of months to create a HR Development Strategy. The Department’s HR Development strategy was launched in February 2020 with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Strategic priorities derived from this include: Actively promote inclusion and diversity in the Department through initiatives such as LGBT+ and disability networks, nurturing an attractive, rewarding and inclusive work environment, promoting excellence in HR practices and responding to the changing nature of work.
In 2019, the Department partook in the national PRIDE events in June and following this an LGBT+ staff network was formed and its first meeting took place in October. The Departmental network are currently organising events within the Department and with the wider Civil Service LGBT+ staff network in celebration of Pride month.
To facilitate the implementation of the LGBT+ Inclusion strategy 2019-2021, a cross-Departmental strategy committee has been formed. The Department, along with the National Transport Authority and Tourism Ireland, have appointed Inclusion Officers to this committee to oversee the development of this strategy. The first meeting of the committee took place on June 16th 2020 with delivery of the Strategy targeted for Q1 2022.
The Department has facilitated talks and presentations from staff members and advocates on diversity and inclusion issues, such as living with visual impairments and LGBT+ issues.
Internal competitions organised by the Department are conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice for appointment in the Civil and Public Service published by the Commission for Public Appointments Service. The Code of Practice reflects the principles of probity, appointments made on merit, an appointment process in line with best practice, a fair appointments process applied with consistency and appointments made in an open, accountable and transparent manner. The Department provides training for interviewers that include training on equality for all, bias and unconscious bias.
Candidates with a disability are accommodated with appropriate arrangements where necessary.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is subject to specific legal obligations in the Disability Act 2005 and required to reach and maintain a 3% target for the employment of staff with disabilities. The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with this 3% target and their most recently published report notes that 3.9% of staff within the Department had disclosed a disability. Since this publication the 3% target continues to be maintained.
Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024. The Department is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.
A Disability network within the Department is hoped to be formed in the near future with the assistance of the Department’s appointed Disability Liaison Officer.
