Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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692.To ask the Minister for Health Minister to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in his Department during the period 2021 to date; the content of such training and presentations; the provider of any such training and presentations and the costs incurred for each event; if attendance at such training and presentations is mandatory or voluntary for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24672/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to creating an inclusive environment that is free from discrimination including racism. The Department of Health has a staff led Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group that promotes events and training to instill respect, dignity and equality in the workplace and beyond. These events are underpinned by and reflect on conscious and unconscious bias to promote equality and prevent discrimination.

The Department utilises a range of learning and development resources delivered by the Irish Human Rights Equality Commission, external providers and through the Civil Service training body, One Learning. While attendance on these courses is voluntary attendance is strongly encouraged.

My Department also provides guidance and briefings to our internal Interview boards on the 9 nine grounds of discrimination and unconscious bias.

Details of the training courses and programmes on anti-racism or unconscious bias related topics are detailed in the following table.