Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
390. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details on the measures her Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40241/23]
View answerMy Department implements a broad range of measures to support the LGBTI+ Community across various Sectors under my remit. My Department collaborates with other Departments that have a lead responsibility for actions under the Action Plan of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. Also, officials of my Department attend the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Steering Committee, which is chaired by my colleague Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY).
In that context, the measures implemented by my Department directly, or in collaboration with other lead Departments, on the specific actions outlined by the Deputy, are detailed as follows:
Department’s HR Strategy and LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network.
As a civil service employer, my Department is committed and continues to operate within a legislative framework that recognises the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the organisation and work environment. In strengthening a culture of dignity and respect, diversity and inclusion for all, my Department established it’s LGBTI+ Network “Le Chéile” in September 2022 with the goal of ensuring and facilitating a workplace that is open inclusive and accepting of all colleagues. A key purpose of the LGBTI+ Network is to educate and raise awareness around LBGTI+ issues with participation encouraged from both LGBTI+ colleagues and allies. The Steering Committee organise regular Network Meetings and initiatives for all staff, including presentations/talks to educate and inform on LGBTI+ issues. The establishment of the network delivered on Action 7 of the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
My Department’s LGBTI+ Network, Le Chéile, collaborated with cross Government Department LGBTI+ Networks in the lead-up to the Dublin Pride Parade in June 2023 and participated in the event under the “Proud to Work for Ireland” banner. My Department also delivered a special event ‘The Journey of Pride’ opened by the Secretary General, organised in collaboration with Dublin Pride to mark the beginning of Pride 2023.
Sectors of the Department involved in Events to promote LGBTI+ visibility and support around Pride and festivals Nationwide.
National Cultural Institutions (NCIs); are very active in offering various tours for the LGBTI+ community as well as providing opportunities for the general public to engage with LGBTI+-related Arts and Culture. For example, the Chester Beatty Library is currently planning a school-related event for November this year as part of ‘Stand up Awareness Week’. The National Concert Hall supports female, transgender, queer and non-binary people in music. In addition, various National Cultural Institutions contributed to the Arts and Culture programming part of Pride this year by hosting a range of tours and exhibitions.
Fáilte Ireland ; has developed a revised Festival and Events Strategy and supported Festivals such as “The Outing” with €20K financial support. Fáilte Ireland also provides funding of Dublin Pride to feature in St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin. Tourism Ireland has developed a new LGBTI+ Action Plan which will be rolled out in our overseas markets.
Media ; LGBTI+ identities are represented across all RTÉ platforms (TV, Radio, Online) and in a variety of ways, such as online articles, dedicated features and documentaries. The dedicated website (rte.ie/pride) brings all this content together in one place. Coimisiún na Meán came into existence on March 15th of this year and are continuing work to develop a Gender, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Strategy.
Sport Ireland ; continues to deliver on its project to develop guidance for the sport sector in the area of transgender and non-binary inclusion in sport and physical activity. Sport Ireland and Sporting Pride teamed up in support of the #LetsGetVisible campaign.
Some details on these events may be obtained from my Department’s website at (www.gov.ie). However, for more detailed information, the Deputy may also wish to refer to the websites of the respective Agencies/Bodies under my Department’s remit.
Research on the Practice of Conversion Therapy in Ireland.
I understand that a research report was launched by Minister O’Gorman in February of this year on a Study of the Practice of Conversion Therapy in Ireland. My Department will support Minister O’Gorman’s Department in delivering on the outcomes of this research and this action.
Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty to take account of LGBTI+ considerations in the development or review of public sector policy .
In developing or reviewing policy under my Department’s remit, officials in my Department consistently seek to ensure that all policies are developed and delivered in the context of EDI and my Department is committed to its Public Sector Duty obligations across all Sectors.
I understand my colleague, Minister O’Gorman, is in the process of commissioning a review of the National LGBTI+ Strategy to inform the development of the successor Strategy. I am also advised that the next meeting of National LGBTI+ Inclusion Steering Committee is scheduled for mid October this year. I welcome the development of the successor Strategy and officials in my Department will have further opportunity, at the Steering Committee in October, to liaise with lead Departments on the current Action Plan.
Table of Actions under the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021
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1.2 Identify key large-scale events each year to promote LGBTI+ visibility. DJE (All Depts.) |
Q4 |
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1.4 Coordinate a series of events and communications to support positive messaging around Pride and festivals nationwide and more broadly to promote LGBTI+ visibility, awareness and expertise. DJE/DCYA/RTE (All Depts.) |
Q2 |
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2.2 Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is a core feature of organisational and HR strategy and subject to ongoing review. DPER (All Depts.) |
Q1 |
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2.4 Develop a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network. DJE/DPER (All Depts.) |
Q4 |
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3.2 Coordinate the roll out of a public recognition marker denoting LGBTI+ friendly service provision, particularly in rural and other hard to reach communities. DCYA/DJE (All Depts.) |
Q3 |
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5.1 Utilise the Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty to take account of LGBTI+ considerations in the development or review of public sector policy, to be informed by targeted consultation where necessary. All Depts. |
Q1 |
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12.2 Ensure that each relevant Department/Government body examines how, once a Gender Recognition Certificate is obtained, administrative processes can be streamlined, improving interconnection between Departments, and reducing costs for replacement of official documents, while maintaining a person’s privacy. DJE/DEASP (All Relevant Departments/ State Agencies) |
Q1 |
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(24.1 In the context of the commitment in the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy regarding the promotion or practice of conversion therapy, continue research to establish the extent to which the practice is occurring in Ireland and review international best practice in responding which will also include legislative responses in other countries. DJE ) 24.2 Informed by the findings of the above research, develop an appropriate package of measures for implementation in response. DJE (all Depts) |
Q3 Q4 |
