Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
168. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the costs associated with such services. [16383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in line with the rest of the Civil Service, actively supports diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff.
Recent measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion in my Department include:
- Participation in AHEAD’s Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme, a graduate internship opportunity for persons with a disability;
- Participation in the North East Inner City Flash Mentoring Programme which provides students from 6 inner city schools with a series of short, low pressure, one-time meetings with a range of experienced professionals;
- Participation by staff of my Department in the Civil Service Women’s Network;
- Participation in Events Being Run by the Public Service for Staff during Pride Month 2021;
- Implementation of Gender Balance measures linked to talent management opportunities, supporting staff returning from maternity leave and promoting work life balance;
- Presentation to Departmental staff by the National Disability Authority on International Day of People with Disabilities to raise awareness of Disability at Work;
- Attendance by Human Resources staff at relevant conferences covering diversity and inclusion topics;
- Progressing my Department’s well-being programme which provides staff with a regular platform to input into measures and activities to help shape an inclusive and supportive workplace; and
- Unconscious bias training as part of interview board training for internal promotion competitions, delivered by Carr Communications at a cost of €1,300 in 2018, €2,600 in 2019, €650 in 2020, €650 in 2021, and €650 to date in 2022.
