Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
153. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action his Department has taken to honour the programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35824/23]
View answerThe 'Civil Service Renewal Strategy 2030' commits to nurturing a workforce for the future by bringing equality and inclusivity to the fore of its organisational design. By placing a focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), this Department is committed to recognising and supporting all employees’ gender identity and gender expression to further develop a positive, accepting and supportive work environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect.
My Department has taken positive steps in this regard and is represented on the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Committee. Furthermore, my Department has provided access for staff to attend an interactive Pronouns Workshop in June 2023 offered through OneLearning which focused on how to respect a colleague’s gender identity. Other initiatives in the area of gender inclusiveness include attendance by Department staff at a series of webinars hosted in June 2023 by OneLearning regarding PRIDE month. One such seminar, delivered by Pride at Work, provided a judgement free space to ask questions and get to grips with evolving LGBTQ+ terminology including understanding pronouns.
My Department operates in line with several different laws in Ireland that protect people from inequitable treatment including the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 which prohibits discrimination in employment on a number of grounds including gender. In respect of any official forms, which require gender identity, these are currently being reviewed to ensure inclusivity.
