Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of discrimination cases taken and won against his Department over the past ten years, under each of the grounds applicable, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8893/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no discrimination cases taken against the Department for the past ten years in each of the nine grounds of Gender, Civil Status, Family Status, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Age, Disability, Race and Membership of the Travelling Community as stated in the Employment Equality Act 1998-2015.

Under the Civil Service Diversity Policy - A Policy of Equality of Opportunity, the Department of Finance is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all of its employment practices. As an employer, the Department must fulfil its obligations under equality legislation, particularly the Employment Equality Act 1998-2015.

The Employment Equality Act 1998-2015, outlaws discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas. These include recruitment and promotion; equal pay; working conditions; learning opportunities - whether on the job or formal training; dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment.

In 2015, the Civil Service published its revised Dignity a Work Policy which was developed in partnership between the Civil Service Management and staff unions. The revised policy which applies to staff of the Department of Finance, aims to promote respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. Every member of staff is advised of this policy on entry into the Department and 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 respective manner.

In addition, the Civil Service Employment Service (CSEAS) is a neutral support service and provides a wide range of free and confidential supports to all employees of the Department for their mental health and wellbeing.

Lastly, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Finance, has run Unconscious Bias training for staff in 2021 and 2022. 143 staff attended this training. The Department is committed to continuing to promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace.