Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2019
31. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he plans to take to ensure that persons from minority backgrounds are better represented in recruitment to the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46026/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service is currently developing a new, forward looking and progressive Diversity and Inclusion Policy that will help address our public sector duty to promote equality, eliminate discrimination and protect the human rights of all civil servants.
I understand that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) identified the need to attract more diverse applicant pools in their Statement of Strategy 2017 – 2019, including the use of a range of appropriate channels, networks and media technologies to reach new and diverse audiences.
In 2019 there have also been a number of targeted engagements, including workshops with Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre and the Business in the Community EPIC Programme for people from immigrant communities, and participation and input at the citizenship ceremony in Killarney to over 3,000 people who were receiving Irish citizenship. PAS has also had a stand at some targeted recruitment fairs, including one organised by the Central Bank targeting people living in north east inner city Dublin.
As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, a Diversity and Inclusion Lead was appointed to the Public Appointments Service in April 2019 to develop a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and lead a team in the support of this aim. This strategy is under development following a rigorous and extensive consultation process with representative groups pertaining to ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and other interests from civil society. This included representatives from the Immigrant Council of Ireland, National Disability Authority, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Irish Refugee Council, Pavee Point, Rehab, Ahead, Dyslexia Ireland, Wheel, St. Stephens Green Trust, the Higher Education Authority, Pobal, An Garda Síochána, the Property Registration Authority of Ireland, WALK, Empowering People in Care, Irish Prison Service, Ruhama, the Women's Council, the Arts Council, Science Foundation Ireland, the Central Bank, Government Departments and county councils.
The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy aligns with the Civil Service Renewal Plan and the People Strategy for the Civil Service (2017 – 2020) which seek to achieve greater diversity and build a Civil Service that reflects the society in which it works and the communities it serves. It also takes account of national strategies such as the Migrant Integration Strategy, the National Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities and others.
