Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
536. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 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. [35838/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty (‘the Duty’), public service organisations have a statutory obligation to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect the human rights of staff and those to whom they provide services and my Department remains committed to meeting its obligations.
My Department is fully committed to promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion across the sectors, tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and the Irish language.
The Programme for Government charges Departments to deliver across a range of commitments on gender equality, including the use of correct pronouns, and the Civil Service Renewal Strategy 2030 commits to nurturing a workforce for the future by bringing equality and inclusivity to the fore of our organisational design.
My Department promotes the use and acceptance of gender-related language and is committed to recognising and supporting all employees’ gender identity and gender expression in our approach to further develop a positive, accepting and supportive work environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect.
My Department is also committed to serving our customers properly, fairly, impartially and with courtesy. This includes ensuring accommodating diversity and ensuring that rights to equal treatment established by equality legislation are upheld in the delivery of our services.
Officials from my Department are committed to working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth as new polices and legislative measures on Equality are brought forward.
