Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there have been bullying or sexual harassment claims lodged within her Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place within her department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2309/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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During the period in question, one complaint was lodged in 2017 under Dignity at Work – the Civil Service anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy. The complaint is the subject of an ongoing process and therefore it is not possible to state the outcome. Notwithstanding this, given the low number of complaints lodged during the period it would not be appropriate to disclose any outcome for risk of identifying the parties involved.

Dignity at Workis the Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service, was launched in 2015 and replaces Positive Working Environmentwhich had been in place since September 2005. The policy has been circulated to all staff in my Department and has also been disseminated through the Department’s Intranet as well as by a recent article in the Department’s staff magazine. It aims to promote respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace.

The policy provides information on the steps which individuals may take if they believe that they have been bullied, harassed, or sexually harassed. It outlines the recommended procedures which should be followed by all parties to complaints regarding bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.

My Department is committed to upholding the key aims of the policy and to providing a work environment free from any form of bullying, harassment or sexual harassment. All staff are expected to treat colleagues with respect and dignity at all times. Behaviour linked to bullying, harassment or sexual harassment is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any complaints or issues raised in this area are treated seriously, fairly and in strict confidence. Informal resolution and the use of mediation are strongly encouraged and explored before proceeding to formal investigation.