Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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241. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38412/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In line with broader Government policy my Department continues its work to become an employer of choice. Accordingly diversity is encouraged and facilitated in my Department to ensure its composition is reflective of Irish society as a whole.

The vast majority of recruitment for my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service. However, my Department is strongly committed to the Government’s National LGBTQ+ Inclusion Strategy and to supporting staff who are members of LGBTQIA+ communities.

My Department’s LGBTQIA+ and Allies Staff Network is a resource for all staff, regardless of sexual orientation, and aims to ensure a mutual understanding of LGBTQIA+ matters and concerns. It is supported by the Department's HR Strategy through its goal of ‘enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.’ Initiatives such as the Network align with and reflect the core values of my Department and aim to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace.

My Department is strongly committed to promoting equality and the Management Board has reiterated this through regular attendance of many of the its members at meetings of the LGBTQIA+ and Allies Network. The continued support of the Management Board for the Department’s Network helps to enure a culture of dignity and respect for all staff in the Department.

My Department hosts regular events round LGBTQIA+ issues and in recent weeks facilitated staff members and their families to attend the Dublin Pride parade and flew the Pride flag at all Headquarters buildings and several of the larger National Parks across the country.