Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1081. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 2.6 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36945/23]
View answer1082. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 2.7 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36946/23]
View answer1083. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 2.8 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36947/23]
View answer1084. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 3.2 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36948/23]
View answer1085. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 3.3 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36949/23]
View answer1086. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 12.2 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible),; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36950/23]
View answer1087. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 13.1 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36951/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1081 to 1087, inclusive, together.
I propose to take the Deputy's questions (PQs 36945/23, 36946/23, 36947/23, 36948/23, 36949/23 and 36950/23) together as they relate to the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy contains a number of interrelated actions. Progress has been made on many actions within the Strategy, while progress on others has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several actions relate to ensuring an LGBTI+ inclusive environment in Irish workplaces. In order to appropriately guide work in this area, my Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Network in March 2023. The remit of the Network is to review the current DCEDIY draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and action plan, develop EDI initiatives to raise awareness of EDI challenges and take positive actions to build a culture that champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. There has previously been engagement with IBEC to discuss progressing actions in this area. Once the work of the EDI has progressed sufficiently, further consideration will be given to relevant actions.
A number of other actions relate to ensuring public spaces are safe and welcoming of LGBTI+ people, including the availability of non-gendered toilets in public buildings. Due to COVID-19 and its impact on site work patterns, practical measures to increase the availability of non-gendered toilets in public buildings has not been progressed. However, the feasibility of including a provision for gender-neutral/single stall bathrooms and changing rooms in the design guidelines for schools was reviewed by the Department of Education. Design guidance has been revised based on this research.
The current Strategy was extended until the summer of 2023 with a review of the Strategy planned for the second half of the year. The review will examine, among other issues, the achievements of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, and will make recommendations on whether any actions that have not been completed, should be considered for inclusion in a successor Strategy. The review of the Strategy will also seek to establish the ways in which the issue of intersectionality can be addressed throughout the successor Strategy.
