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Departmental Policy Functions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Ceisteanna (46)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

46. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11825/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Civil Service Diversity Policy - A Policy of Equality of Opportunity, the Department of Finance is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices. As an employer, the Department must fulfil its obligations under equality legislation, particularly the Employment Equality Act 1998-2015.

The Employment Equality Act 1998-2015, outlaws discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas. These include recruitment and promotion; equal pay; working conditions; learning opportunities - whether on the job or formal training; dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment.

In 2015, the Civil Service published its revised Dignity a Work Policy which was developed in partnership between the Civil Service management and staff unions. The revised policy which applies to staff of the Department of Finance, aims to promote respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. Members of staff are made aware of the policy upon commencing employment in the Department and during the induction programme, that all forms of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respective manner. During the induction training staff are also given an overview of unconscious bias and they are encouraged to complete the Project Implicit Test ( available at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html) to give them a better understanding of their own biases.

As part of the revised policy a new role of Designated Person and Contact person were introduced. The contact person is someone who is available to listen and provide information to a staff member who may be concerned regarding bullying, harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace.

In addition, the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service, CSEAS, is a neutral support service and provides a wide range of free and confidential supports to all employees of the Department.

Lastly, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Finance, provided ‘Being an Engaged Leader’ Programme (unconscious bias training) to staff of the Department during 2017 and 2018 with over 200 staff attending this training. The Department is currently in the process of preparing a Request for Quotation to run a similar type programme for staff.

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