Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
524. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of the actions in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 that are complete; the percentage that are pending completion; the percentage that have yet to be actioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39566/20]
View answer525. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff within his Department have been assigned to work on the implementation of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021; the total full-time equivalent of these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39567/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 was launched in November 2019. It is a comprehensive framework for action on LGBTI+ equality and contains 108 actions that are directly aligned to concrete outcomes intended to transform the lives of LGBTI+ people across Ireland. The implementation of the Strategy is overseen by a steering committee which I chair, and which includes representatives of Government Departments, key public bodies, and NGOs, particularly those representing LGBTI+ people.
Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in October, my Department has overall responsibility for the coordination of the Inclusion Strategy. There are four officials that, among other duties, are currently assigned to coordinating the administration of the Strategy, and the progression of actions for which my Department is directly responsible.
The total full time equivalent of the team is 3.8 and the time allocated to work on the Strategy and related policy is approximately 2.8.
This team also draws on expertise from other teams within my Department, such as the team that is responsible for administering funding schemes associated with the Strategy.
Of the 108 actions contained in the Strategy, 67 are now in progress. An additional six actions have been completed, including the announcement that I made last week in relation to the provision of funding to 29 projects around the country under the 2020 LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund. A total of €700,000 in grant funding has been provided under the Scheme, which will support LGBTI+ community services and the promotion of LGBTI+ visibility and inclusion.
Some of the actions contained in the Strategy will be ongoing over its lifetime, such as those under outcome 26. These actions relate to the ongoing supports being provided to ensure that LGBTI+ people can travel in safety and confidence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some unavoidable delays with the implementation of some actions contained in the Strategy. I recently announced the extension of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy into 2021 and I will also be considering in the coming months whether to extend the lifetime of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy beyond 2021.
