Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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438. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of her Department or public body and agency under her remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31747/22]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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439. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public or on the property of her Department or each public body and agency that operate under her remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31766/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

My Department and all of its offices and agencies are fully committed to promoting respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. Every effort is made to ensure that appropriate behaviours are displayed by all staff in our work environment

All organisations under my remit are subject to the Civil Service’s Dignity at Workpolicy, which outlines reporting procedures for sexual harassment, and the Civil Service Disciplinary Code, which states that sexual harassment is deemed to be serious misconduct. An Garda Síochána has its own anti-bullying policy, Working Together to Create a Positive Working Environment.

The Civil Service is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation. The 2015 Dignity at Workpolicy was developed in partnership between Civil Service management and staff unions, and aims to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. Every member of staff should be aware that all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner.

The Dignity at Workpolicy can be found at:

Working Together to Create a Positive Working Environmentis available at

In matters relating to members of the public, there are no specific policies in place in relation to serious matters of this nature. If an individual believes that a potential crime has been committed in the course of any interactions with my Department or organisations under my remit, including sexual harassment and assault, they should immediately report it to An Garda Síochána. Any allegation of inappropriate behaviour against a member of my Department or any of the agencies under its remit should be reported to the Head of the Organisation concerned.