Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
526. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on the measures his Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40235/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to the Government’s National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and to supporting staff who are members of LGBTQIA+ communities. Our People Strategy was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions through which we wish to engage, support, develop and lead our staff. Actions include a commitment to enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Additionally, to further demonstrate my Department’s commitment to ensuring a fully inclusive workplace for all our staff, we have commenced work on an internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy. This policy will be developed in conjunction with our staff.
My Department has a LGBTQIA+ and Allies Staff Network which is a resource for all staff, regardless of sexual orientation, and aims to ensure a mutual understanding of LGBTQIA+ matters and concerns. Initiatives such as the Network align with and reflect the core values of my Department and aim to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. The Network has strong support from our Management Board, who demonstrates their commitment to promoting equality through regular attendance of many of its members at Network meetings.
We host regular events round LGBTQIA+ issues. We facilitated staff members and their families in attending the Dublin Pride parade this year and flew the Pride flag at all Headquarters buildings, and several of the larger National Parks across the country.
We comply with all central policy and guidance. As required, my Department sets out in its Strategic Plan an assessment of the human rights and equality issues it believes to be relevant to its functions and purpose, and the actions it is taking or proposes to take to address those issues. Details of areas to which these human rights and equality considerations apply are available to view at this link DHLGH Statement of Strategy 2021-2025.
