Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
890. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her Department, and public bodies and agencies under her remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27678/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Ireland’s National Action Plan against Racism 2023-2027, a whole of government approach to eradicating racism in society, launched in March of this year. Developed by an independent Anti-Racism Committee, the Plan proposes actions to help make Ireland a place in which the impacts of racism are fully acknowledged and actively addressed.
My Department does not have a formal written anti-racism policy, but I can assure the Deputy that my Department is fully committed to fulfilling its commitments in that Action Plan, and our responsibilities to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of our staff, the people we serve and everyone affected by our policies and plans, in accordance with the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, as per Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014.
The Deputy may be interested to note that on 11 March 2022, my Department launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which provides clear milestones and a framework through which it will build on its ambition to be an organisation that is welcoming and inclusive. This Strategy strengthens my Department’s capabilities to promote equality, embrace diversity and foster inclusion in its day to day business and services, in policy-making and in providing equal opportunities for all staff. To this end, the EDI Strategy prioritises three areas of focus for strategic impact:
• achieve better policy outcomes and improve the accessibility and quality of our services;
• support the development of a skilled and diverse workforce which is reflective of the diversity within our population / country;
• build and embed a workplace culture which facilitates, supports and encourages contributions from all
My Department has an EDI and Public Sector Duty Committee chaired at Assistant Secretary level which monitors the implementation of this EDI Strategy.
