Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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336. 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 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. [16378/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s People Strategy was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions through which we wish to engage, support, develop and lead our staff, in alignment with our strategic goals. The strategic goals identified under our ‘WELL’ Strategy are ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Engagement’, ‘Learning and Development’ and ‘Leadership’, which 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 workplace. Under the heading of Leadership we are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Some specific measures to support diversity and inclusion include the following:

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

- Since 2019, the Secretary General has given his support 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 inner city DEIS schools with access to and insight into professions and career paths outside their existing network of contacts.

- In 2020 my Department adopted 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 2021 my Department established its Women and Allies Network, which organises events and talks, connecting women and supporters of women across grades and locations within my Department.

- My Department has an annual staff event to acknowledge and support International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

- In 2020 and 2021 Disability Awareness Training was made available to my staff, supporting our commitments under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. This training will also be made available to staff in 2022.

In addition, my Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who provides additional support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate. The DLO also raises awareness by organising regular staff information sessions on various disabilities.

My Department complies with all central policy and guidance and in 2022 the Department will introduce its own Diversity and Inclusion Policy, following staff consultation.

As requested, please see below details of the provider, which delivered diversity and inclusion training within this Department since 2018, including the associated the costs: