Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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354. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24307/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to meeting its obligations under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Disability Act 2005. Under my Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 and the Department's Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022, there is a commitment to embed a culture of dignity and respect, emphasising gender, equality, diversity and inclusion.

As part of my Department's efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the supports for officers with a disability, including arranging for reasonable accommodations to be put in place, the Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer who is based in the Human Resources Division. During induction the Disability Liaison Officer meets new officers who join the Department and provides a short presentation on the role of the Disability Liaison Officer; how to disclose a disability; the statutory obligations placed on public sector organisations; and the processes in place for officers who require a reasonable accommodation. At all times, the Disability Liaison Officer is guided by the Code of Practice for the Employment of Persons with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service. The Disability Liaison Officer also takes part in Training events throughout the year to highlight the supports available for officers with a disability.

More broadly, as part of my Department's efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for officers with a disability, the Department rolled out Disability Awareness Training in 2021, which consists of 11 modules covering a broad range of topics, including Mental Health, Hidden Disabilities, Sensory Conditions and Wheelchair Etiquette, amongst others.

Under the remit of the Department's Management Board Sub-Committee on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, there is a Social Inclusion and Disability Working Group which aims to champion and celebrate social inclusion and disability in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Together with the Disability Liaison Officer, the Social Inclusion and Disability Working Group organise events to mark important days such as the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As part of the work that the Sub-Committee progresses, a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which includes specific actions related to Disability and Accessibility will be introduced shortly.

There are no public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of my Department.