Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14058/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department’s People Strategy 2018-2020 (WELL - Wellbeing, Engagement, Learning and Development and Leadership) was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions to engage, support, develop and lead staff. The strategic goals identified under the ‘WELL’ Strategy reflect the evolving nature of working life in the Department and the diversity of needs, motivations and experiences that are a feature of the modern workforce.

Under the heading of Leadership, the Department committed to enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In 2020, the Department ran remote Disability Awareness Training provided by Ability Focus and costing €1,107, supporting commitments under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.

Many other measures to support diversity and inclusion have been provided through the Department's own resources since 2018, including:

- The Department has been involved in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme since 2018, offering graduates with disabilities a 6 month work placement within the Department.

- In 2019, the Department established its LGBT+ staff network, which organises events and talks on a continuous basis and is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General.

- The Department supports the Job Shadow Day initiative on an annual basis, as part of the national project with brings people with disabilities and local employers together for one day. For the last number of years, we have teamed with the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK).

- Since 2019, the Secretary General has given his supports to the 30% Club, which promotes gender equality on boards and senior management, fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

- In 2019, the Department facilitated the North East Inner City (NEIC) workplace programme, which provides students in Dublin inner city schools with access to and insight into professions and career paths outside their existing network of contacts. We are continuing to engage with this initiative during the current Covid crisis.

- The Department is currently finalising its Universal Design and Accessibility Policy and Action Plan, which aims to demonstrate the Department’s commitment to accessibility, the principles of Universal Design and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.

In addition, the Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who provides support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate. The Department complies with all central policy and guidance; in this respect, the Civil Service People Strategy 2018-2020 commits to review and revise the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion policy, which the Department will fully support in due course.