Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
106. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of Action 2.1 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible) to build LGBTI awareness and inclusive practices amongst SMEs and micro enterprises, especially since October of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34698/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland continues to raise LGBTI+ awareness through, among other things, its leadership development programmes and the Agency provides direct assistance to companies, which support greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace, such as New Frontiers (national entrepreneurship programme), Leadership4Growth (CEO leadership programme), Attracting & Retaining Talent, SpotLight on Skills, Enterprise Ireland’s Future of Work Guide, and most recently in 2023 a HR Forum for a group of SME clients.
In relation to Enterprise Ireland’s Leadership for Growth educational modules, each CEO participating in the Leadership for Growth programme is assigned a coach for the duration of the programme, to support the CEO in implementing actions around leadership and strategy including actions relating to creating inclusive practises in their companies. Enterprise Ireland’s Future of Work guides also have specific diversity themes to promote these practises.
In 2023, EI ran a pilot HR Forum across 30 SME clients with a specific module focused on purpose-driven inclusive growth and diversity equity and inclusion. Following the successive pilot, the programme will be run with a new group of SMEs in 2023. This programme will raise awareness and inclusive practises amongst the attending SMEs in accordance with the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland’s own People Strategy THRIVE includes a pillar and actions dedicated to Inclusion, Diversity and Equality. As part of the implementation of Enterprise Ireland’s people strategy, an Equality Diversity & Inclusion programme is being delivered which includes awareness initiatives and workshops on LGBTI+ awareness and practises.
As the Local Enterprise Offices are under the aegis of the respective Local Authority, as far as HR policy is concerned, it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to provide developed LGBTI+ information events and learning modules for inclusion in LEO diversity & inclusion training programmes for their staff. In educating and empowering EI and LEO staff including their client facing teams, this has a direct impact in encouraging and directing SME clients nationally to increase LGBTI+ awareness and inclusive practices in line with the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
