I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.
Due to the nature of its role, my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement therein, has no office locations that provide services directly to the general public.
The Customer Service Charter for my Department describes the service each customer is entitled to expect when dealing with the Department and our commitment to ensuring that these service levels are maintained. It provides information on service standards, customer input, complaints procedures and freedom of information, as well as contact details for key areas of the Department. This policy document is published and can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/79b529-customer-service-in-the-department-of-public-expenditure-and-reform/
Employees of my Department and the OGP are subject to the provisions and protections of “Dignity at Work – an anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service”. This policy sets out the process by which an employee can report an alleged incident of sexual harassment or assault. It includes provision for referral of an alleged incident to An Garda Síochána where there is a possibility that a criminal offence has occurred. The policy is published and available at hr.per.gov.ie/en/publications/dignity-at-work-policy/
The relevant information regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.
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Publicly Accessible Policy – complaints from members of the public
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Publicly Accessible Policy – complaints from employees
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Office of Public Works (OPW)
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The OPW supports and upholds a culture of respect, dignity, safety and equality in their workplaces, many of which are sites that involve direct contact with the public. The OPW has A Child Safeguarding Statement that sets out procedures for raising concerns about harm to children at any OPW site. The OPW has a number of policies in place for members of the public and employees to report instances of harassment or assault that occur on OPW managed property. The OPW Customer Charter and the Child Safeguarding statement are available to the public at visitor centres in hard copy. The Customer Action Plan and Charter are also available on the OPW website. www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/019c0e-about-the-office-of-public-works/The Child Safeguarding Statement will be uploaded to the OPW website in the coming days.
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The OPW adheres to the provisions of the Dignity at Work (anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for the Irish Civil Service) Policy - see earlier link.
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National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
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The NSSO does not operate in direct contact with members of the public.
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The NSSO adheres to the provisions of the Dignity at Work (anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for the Irish Civil Service) Policy - see earlier link.
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Public Appointments Service (PAS)
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The PAS complaints procedure is for all types of customer service related complaints, and is not specific to complaints of sexual harassment or assault (but would include any such type of complaint). This is available at: Customer Service Action Plan 2021 - 2023.pdf (publicjobs.ie)
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The PAS adheres to the provisions of the Dignity at Work (anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for the Irish Civil Service) Policy. The Policy is made available to all staff on the PAS Intranet - see earlier link.
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Office of the Ombudsman
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No formal office policy exists concerning reporting by the public of allegations of harassment. The Health and Safety Statement for the office provides that no form of harassment by staff will be tolerated or accepted in dealing with staff or customers. Processes are available for members of the public to make such complaints and any such complaint would be treated very seriously.
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The Office of the Ombudsman adheres to the provisions of the Dignity at Work (anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for the Irish Civil Service) Policy - see earlier link. Each member of staff is given a copy of the Dignity at Work Policy when they commence employment at the Office of the Ombudsman and it is also covered as part of the staff induction programme.
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State Laboratory
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The State Laboratory does not operate in direct contact with members of the public.
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The State Laboratory adheres to the provisions of the Dignity at Work (anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for the Irish Civil Service) Policy - see earlier link.
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Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
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The ORNL does not operate in direct contact with members of the public.
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The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery has a policy in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment that occur involving other employees on the property of the ORNL. The policy is for internal use only and is not publicly accessible.
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