Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
639. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection 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. [40239/23]
View answerIn response to the information sought, the following are the measures that the Department has undertaken to address the specific action points in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2021; for ease of reference I will use the abbreviation 'LGBTI+' throughout.
1.2 Identify key large-scale events each year to promote LGBTI+ visibility
Department officials coordinate yearly, Pride month, celebrations and webinars with keynote speakers. Promotional posters, lanyards and merchandise are also distributed while informative communications are issued to all staff including a guide to LGBTI+ and relevant terminology; there are also live events and wider promotion of the LGBTI+ Network.
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.
The Department's Secretary General announces Pride month as part of an overall awareness campaign and Department officials maintain ongoing engagement with staff and the LGBTI+ Network;
2.2 Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is a core feature of organisational and HR strategy and subject to ongoing review.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is a key priority in the Department People Strategy 2020-23 and will be achieved through meaningful staff engagement and the delivery of targeted learning and development supports; the promotion and development of diversity and inclusion initiatives is also a key objective in the Department Statement of Strategy.
2.4 Develop a Civil and Public Service wide LGBTQ+ Employee and Ally Network.
The Department has its own LGBTQ+ Network and actively participates in the wider Civil & Public Service Network
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.
The Department does not have the related co-ordination role
5.1 Utilise the Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty to take account of LGBTQ+ considerations in the development or review of public sector policy, to be informed by targeted consultation where necessary.
The Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty is used, consulted and considered in all policy changes and reviews. The LGBTQ+ Network is a key stakeholders in all consultation processes relating to such changes.
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 .
At present Department officials are drafting a Gender Recognition & Expression policy and this will inform a wider review of required administrative procedures and potential impacts relating to the presentation of Gender Recognition Certificates that will need to be addressed in due course.
24.2 Informed by the findings of the above research, develop an appropriate package of measures for implementation in response.
The Department will liaise with DPENDR and other Departments and agencies in the development of appropriate measures in response to research findings when available.
