Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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264.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [24666/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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While there has been no specific anti-racism or unconscious bias training or presentations arranged for staff generally in my department in that time, interview board members are fully briefed before sitting on an interview board for my department and are required to undertake interview training, including unconscious bias training, to highlight the impact that bias can have on decision making.

The department is also committed to developing inclusivity, building diversity and ensuring equal respect and opportunity for every member of staff in the Department. All staff members are made aware of their responsibility to behave in a way that upholds a culture of dignity and respect under the “Dignity at Work – an Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Civil Service”. The department arranges training on a range of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) related topics, including disability awareness, to staff members, and encourages staff to avail of the suite of the training course provided by OneLearning , the Civil Service’s Learning and Development platform, who offer a number of EDI training courses including Equality and Human Rights: Understanding your Role and Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service.