Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline what training the human resources disability officer in his Department has undertaken and is scheduled to undertake in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32636/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for our employees with disabilities, and has a designated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) to provide information, support and guidance to managers and staff on the provision of reasonable accommodations.

In their role, the DLO is familiar with and received training on the National Disability Act 2005, the Employment Equality Acts and the Code of Practice for the employment of people with a disability in the Irish Civil Service.

The DLO has taken part in seminars, events, and training courses delivered by the following organisations: the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration, and Youth, the Public Appointments Service, and One Learning as well as with experts such as the Irish Centre for Diversity and Legal Island.

The DLO also providestraining to the Department’s staff. In order to promote disclosure of disability, the Department’s DLO meets new recruits in HQ as part of their induction programme to provide information on the supports available. Additionally, the DLO has been a key part of our global Regional Training Programme where they conduct information sessions with our network of diplomatic missions abroad on disability, the rights of the individual and on supports that can be offered.

The DLO is working with our e-learning partners Legal Island to develop Diversity & Inclusion training for the Department which will have a section on disability. It is intended that every officer in the Department will complete this training and receive certification on the topic.