Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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75. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit fulfil their obligations section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34852/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Public bodies’ statutory duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights of staff and service users is the responsibility of all Departments and other public bodies individually. Goal 6 of my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021 to 2023 sets out the Department’s ambition for a strong public service ethos driving effective and responsible policy implementation, including a commitment to ensuring our compliance with obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. A dedicated team with representatives from each Division has been formed to progress the implementation of the Public Services Human Rights and Equality Duty.

Examples of my Department’s work in the area of Human Rights and Equality include the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the independent body which investigates or mediates complaints of discrimination.

My Department also ensures that employment rights are upheld and strengthened, and champions the principle of businesses operating responsibly. We lead on the Government’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and support the business led voluntary CSR Stakeholder Forum. Diversity and Inclusion is a principal theme of the Forum’s work programme.

In addition, my Department is represented on the Steering Groups for the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 and is progressing a range of actions under these strategies to promote the inclusion of people with a disability in the workforce.