Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1491. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action her Department has taken to honour the Programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35835/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEquality and inclusion are intrinsic to my Department’s values and it is an equal opportunities employer. The Department of Rural and Community Development's programmes, policies and practices promote and advance social justice, equality, diversity and inclusivity across the range of interventions and supports to communities.
The Department is committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination in accordance with the Public Sector Duty obligation of the Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014 and has a working group in place to progress actions under this obligation. All staff in the Human Resources unit of the Department have completed the IHREC course ‘Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service’.
The Department’s People Strategy 2022-2025 commits to respecting and encouraging the diverse nature of our staff, and ensuring that they are valued and have a voice. One of the actions included in the People Strategy is to develop an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (E, D & I) action plan, with work starting on this shortly. This includes providing training and education in equality, diversity and inclusion, giving staff access to relevant information and supports, and continuing to promote a positive and inclusive culture in line with the Department’s values.
Most recently, many Department staff attended webinars themed around PRIDE month and information regarding terminology and inclusive language has been distributed to all staff.
As the majority of the Department's stakeholders are community groups or organisations, our forms do not request this specific type of information. However, the training and education to be provided in the areas of E,D and I, will ensure that staff are knowledgeable in the use of correct pronouns when liaising with stakeholders as well as with colleagues internally.
