Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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889. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the external consultancy organisation or provider that delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16368/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and values each person both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department. My Department embraces a positive work environment, one where each person can be their authentic self at work, be treated equally and fairly and have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace.

My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion policy, which was launched in 2018 both reinforce the Department’s core values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Prior to the commencement of interviews for promotional competitions within my Department, all prospective interviewers are provided with unconscious bias training by staff from my Department's HR Division.

My Department launched an eLearning resource on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace in March 2021. This eLearning course is available to all staff and explores the areas of inclusion, equality and diversity and also explores unconscious bias and assists in fostering self-awareness around unconscious bias and how this may impact on behaviour in the workplace.

This eLearning resource was procured and developed by the Department’s Learning and Development Unit in accordance with appropriate regulations on the procurement of learning/training programmes for Government Departments.

The company provider for this eLearning resource was Aurion Learning and the cost was in the region of €10,500.

This eLearning resource will be updated at regular intervals to reflect new legislation and policy and staff will be encouraged to regularly refresh their knowledge and understanding of these important topics. HR policies will be updated as appropriate to reflect new developments and policies around these key issues.