James Browne
Ceist:35. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the mental health and wellbeing policies her Department has in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 9 February 2017
Ceisteanna (35)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department’s HR Unit promotes a positive working environment and provides advice and support to staff members dealing with health and wellbeing issues.
The Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) is available to all staff and provides extensive advice and support on issues regarding mental health and wellbeing. The CSEAS website contains guidance and advice for Civil Servants who may be experiencing mental health issues. The website contains an Information Guide on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace and links to various external resources such as Aware and the Samaritans, amongst others. It contains webcasts and presentations on topics relevant to mental health and general wellbeing which Civil Servants can access at any time. The service is also available as a resource for managers to provide advice and support when dealing with staff members who may experience mental health or wellbeing issues. The HR Unit of my Department ensures that our staff are made aware of the supports available form the CSEAS both generally as well as in response to individual cases that are brought to our attention either by Line Managers or individual staff members. The Service operates on a confidential basis.
The Civil Service Occupational Health Department, often referred to as the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, advises the Department in relation to workplace health issues. The Office has ongoing engagement with Civil Servants who are absent from work and has a primary role in assisting workplace rehabilitation of employees who experience ill health. The HR Unit of the Department liaises closely with the Service on individual cases.
The Code of Practice on the Employment of Persons with a Disability in the Civil Service sets out the principles, actions and responsibilities of different persons throughout the various stages of the career of a person with a disability. Under the Code, all Department’s must appoint a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) and the DLO within my Department, in consultation with the Personnel Officer/HR Manager, arranges for the provision of supports or accommodations that are deemed reasonable to support the employment of a person with a disability.
The Health and Safety Unit of my Department monitors and maintains staff safety, including safe systems and organisation of work, at it's various workplace locations, in accordance with the provisions of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. My Department also provides free health check services to staff from time to time, including thematic talks, seminars and webinars.
Finally, my Department participated in a study carried out by Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell on how the Civil Service deals with the dying, death and bereavement amongst its members. The report, entitled "Finite Lives", published in 2015, offered a number of recommendations aimed at increasing supports within Departments. These included, the drawing up of a bereavement policy, training, and further research into the area. Also, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has recently published a revised circular on bereavement leave (Circular 1 of 2017) which increases the amount of bereavement leave available in certain cases. My Department is considering its own policies in place in respect of bereavement in light of the recent circular and the recommendations in the Report.