I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together.
I thank the Deputy for her question on this important matter. Each of our educational institutions and aegis bodies have a duty of care to their students and staff. They have a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to the safety of both students and staff and their active participation in college life.
Our higher education situations (HEIs) have dignity and respect policies and procedures in place which actively promote a culture where sexual harassment, bullying and other such behaviours are not tolerated, and where everyone is treated with respect, feels valued and have a sense of belonging to the institute. Information of these policies and procedures are publicly available and can be accessed via the website of the HEIs. These policies and procedures are informed by our Framework for Consent policy document.
Significant progress has been made regarding the Framework for Consent in Higher Education, since it was first launched in 2019. The Framework aims to ensure the creation of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive. As part of monitoring requirements moving forward, the HEA requires that institutions, in respect of both staff and students, report progress annually on implementation of the Framework for Consent.
My Department has provided support for a number of consent awareness raising and training initiatives in the HEIs, including the:
- NUIG Active Consent Programme;
- UCC Bystander Training;
- Speak Out report and support online platform; and
- The ESHTE Toolkit and It Stops Now Campaign led by the NWC in conjunction with USI.
My Department is partnering with the Department of Justice and the NUIG Active Consent programme to support the development of an online hub that will provide, for the first time, an integrated, publicly available resource on sexual consent awareness and learning, which will be an important resource for our further and higher education institutions and the wider community.
My Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice to develop a number actions for the further and higher education sector which will be included in the Third Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy which my colleague Minister McEntee will be publishing shortly.
Allegations of sexual harassment or assault by a staff member of my Department against another staff member are dealt with in accordance with “Dignity at Work – an Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Civil Service” which is publicly available at: www.cseas.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Dignity-At-Work-Policy-PDF.pdf . Upon receipt of a bullying or harassment complaint (verbal or written), the Human Resources (HR) Manager will first consider if the complaint may constitute a criminal offence. If there is a possibility that a criminal offence has occurred, the complaint will be referred to the Garda Síochána as soon as possible. Any further Departmental investigation may be put on hold pending advice from the Garda Síochána as to whether to continue processing the complaint.
The creation of an institutional campus culture in each of our further and higher education institutions which is safe, respectful and supportive, is a key priority for me. I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required to achieve a cultural norm where bullying and sexual harassment are not tolerated.
