Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021
305. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32740/21]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to progressing the values of diversity and inclusion, promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people and ensuring that our staff and workplace are representative and reflective of the people and society we serve.
Within my Department, a Sub-Committee of the Management Board on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has been in place since 2012, chaired by two members of the Management Board. The Sub-Committee is a key governance structure for the consideration of gender, equality, diversity and inclusion issues, as outlined in the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. Five voluntary staff Working Groups – on Gender, LGBT+, New Irish and Ethnic Diversity, Parents and Carers and Social Inclusion and Disability sit under the Sub Committee. The Sub-Committee, in cooperation with Human Resources Division and other units of my Department, progresses initiatives and run regular events to promote equality and diversity at home and through our Mission network overseas.
These initiatives include promoting awareness and understanding of the Department, including employment opportunities, to as wide an audience as possible. On 27 May 2021, for example, my Department hosted a public event to mark Africa Day on ‘Recruiting Diverse Talents of African Descent for Public Jobs’, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Further, the staff led Working Group on Social Inclusion, in partnership with Human Resources Division, are in contact with the North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC) with a view to the Department’s participation in NEIC’s Flash Mentoring Programme commencing this Autumn.
Under broader public outreach activities including Global Ireland 2025's Global Schools programme, my Department also arranges visits to second-level schools by a diplomat and member of the Defence Forces who has served on peacekeeping duties overseas. The programme involves my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in a joint collaboration to build awareness about Ireland’s place in the world and to generate conversations about global citizenship. The Department pays close attention to ensuring a broad spectrum of schools are visited, including DEIS schools, to ensure broad interest in and awareness of a potential Foreign Service or Defence Forces career. Unfortunately the programme is currently paused during the current pandemic given the pressure all schools are under. However, it is hoped to resume it in the last quarter of the year.
My Department will continue to expand our outreach efforts to ensure that we reach those groups who continue to be under-represented in our Department including persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí. The Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022 has a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion as one of its four pillars, underscoring our commitment to the development of this agenda. One area, in particular, that my Human Resources Division is currently prioritising is the issue of recruitment. In late 2020, a staff survey was conducted to ascertain views from staff on building diversity through both external and internal recruitment in the Department. Arising from this feedback, and a review of current practices in place, a new Action Plan on Building Diversity through Recruitment will be presented to the Management Board shortly.
In respect of persons with disabilities, my Department is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024. The Department continually engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff covering areas as defined under the Disability Act 2005 and ensures that staff members with disabilities are accommodated in our workplace by utilising our trained Disability Liaison Officer. The Department also conducted an Access and Sensory Audit of the Passport Service in 2020. Further, my Department is a supporter of the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme and has supported 11 placements to graduates with disabilities since the programme commenced in 2006. My Department’s contribution was acknowledged by the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) and a plaque awarded to DFA under the WAM Leader Awards in 2019 and 2020.
There are no Agencies under the remit of my Department.
