Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of complaints of bullying and sexual harassment, respectively received by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [48038/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade examines all formal complaints made to its HR Unit notwithstanding the category they fall under. Complaints in relation to bullying and sexual harassment are addressed under the Dignity at Work:  An Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Irish Civil Service policy, which came into operation in 2015.

In circumstances where a complaint of bullying or sexual harassment is made, and where these complaints are found to be upheld by means of investigation, appropriate action is taken in accordance with the Civil Service Disciplinary Code.

In 2016, 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, the HR Unit of the Department has received a small number of complaints under the categories referenced.  Four of these complaints were formally investigated.  A further two complaints are currently under investigation.