Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
775. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [40225/23]
View answerMy Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of the Department’s core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both my Department’s employees and the clients of the Department who avail of its wide range of services.
Referring to Action 2.2, My Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and values each employee both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department. My Department’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy, which was launched in 2018, builds on our core values in these areas. In line with this policy, my Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy team in 2022. The mission of the team, which is representative of the diverse nature and regional locations of my Department's staff is to " To celebrate the diversity of our people and promote equality of opportunity and respect for diversity in all aspects of the Department’s business. To promote, champion and foster a work environment where our people are free to be their authentic selves, be creative, thrive and flourish, while making a valuable contribution to the Department’s goals."
In relation to Action 2.4, since 2019, my Department has had an active LGBTI+ staff network in place and a Civil and Public service wide LGBTI+ Employee and Ally Network is actively being worked on. Network meetings take place monthly and Departmental representatives are kept informed about all developments.
Under Actions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 my Department celebrates Pride in June each year and on Saturday 24th June last, a number of staff from my Department, including the Secretary General and members of the Management Board joined with staff from across the Civil and Public Service to participate in the Dublin Pride Parade to celebrate our LGBTI+ colleagues and the LGBTI+ community. Staff from my Department also participated in the Pride parade in Portlaoise on 9 September.
To celebrate the month of Pride, my Department arranged communications to all staff and the installation of prominent outdoor banners and decorations at six of our buildings nationwide including Agriculture House (Dublin), Backweston, Cavan, Clonakilty, Portlaoise and Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Additionally, all of my Department’s offices also have banners in place in the reception areas during Pride month to promote the message that the department is a friendly service provider to one and all.
Furthermore, in relation to Action 3.2, staff in all Department offices countrywide have been provided with LGBTI pins that they can wear on their I.D. lanyards in order to promote our allyship and inform all callers to the public counters that my Department is an LGBTI friendly service provider.
Referring to Action 5.1, my Department considers the impacts on all sectors of society when developing or reviewing public sector policy.
In relation to Action 12.2, my Department’s Corporate Customer System has been amended to record a number of gender categories. Individual customers accessing my Department’s online services will be presented with a pop-up dialog box when logging in that will allow them to update their personal details, including gender.
Action 24.2 is not directly applicable to my Department.
