Niamh Smyth
Question:253. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the progress made on the equality objectives of his Department specifically in relation to women. [11073/22]
View answerTuesday, 1 March 2022
Questions (253)
Written answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that under the Civil Service Diversity Policy - A Policy of Equality of Opportunity, the Department of Finance is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices. As an employer, the Department must fulfil its obligations under equality legislation, particularly the Employment Equality Act 1998-2015.
The Employment Equality Act 1998-2015, outlaws discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas. These include recruitment and promotion; equal pay; working conditions; learning opportunities - whether on the job or formal training; dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment.
In 2015, the Civil Service published its revised Dignity at Work Policy, which was developed in partnership between the Civil Service Management and Staff Unions. The revised policy, which applies to staff of the Department of Finance, aims to promote respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. The policy is brought to the attention of staff upon commencing employment in the Department and during the induction programme, that all forms of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectable manner. During the induction training staff are also given an overview of unconscious bias and they are encouraged to complete the Project Implicit Test (available at implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html) to give them a better understanding of their own biases.
As part of the revised policy a new role of Designated Person and Contact person were introduced. The contact person is someone who is available to listen and provide information to a staff member who may be concerned regarding bullying, harassment and/or sexual harassment in the workplace.
In addition, the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service, CSEAS, is a neutral support service and provides a wide range of free and confidential supports to all employees of the Department.
During 2017 and 2018 the Department of Finance provided ‘Being an Engaged Leader’ Programme (unconscious bias training) to staff of the Department with over 200 staff attending this training. In 2021 this training was expanded on through a new programme which built on the foundations of the initial training, called Diversity 3.0. To date 128 staff have completed the Diversity 3.0 training and more sessions are planned for 2022 in conjunction with eLearnings in the following areas:
- Ethnic & Racial Diversity in the Workplace
- Gender Diversity in the Workplace
- LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace
- Masculinity in the Workplace
- Neurodiversity in the Workplace
- The Multi-Generational Workplace
Recruitment
The standards for recruitment and selection for the Department/Civil Service are set by the Commission on Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is tasked with carrying out external requirements from Clerical Officer through to Principal Officer level, and PAS also administer any TLAC recruitment needs. It should be noted that recruitment is merit based and for external recruitment (i.e. open and interdepartmental) the Department has no choice on gender or otherwise of the candidates, as we are allocated the next candidate on the panel.
30% Club
To mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March 2022, the Chair of the Irish Chapter of the 30% Club, will give a Power Hour presentation on the aims and work of the Club, all staff are invited to attend.
The club is a global campaign supported by Board Chairs and CEOs of medium and large organisations, committed to achieving better gender balance at leadership levels and throughout their organisation, for better business outcomes.
The aim of the 30% Club is to support the achievement of a minimum of 30% Gender Balance at all senior decision-making tables across Ireland, including Boards and c-Suite. They are business led, representing the needs of their supporter organisations and the daily workings of the group are managed by a volunteer panel representing a cross section of those organisations.