Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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227. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 2.4 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy, concerning the development of an LGBT+ Employee and Ally network, specifically regarding progress since March of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34697/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Action 2.4 of the Strategy provides for the development of a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network. In advance of establishing the Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network, my Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Network for staff of the Department in March 2023.

Its remit is to review the current DCEDIY Equality, Diversity and Inclusion draft strategy and action plan, develop EDI initiatives to raise awareness of EDI challenges and take positive actions to build a culture that champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Since March 2023, the group has managed the Department’s participation and awareness building around Pride 2023 and once training has been undertaken, it will move onto staff focus groups and the review of the Department’s draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

There has previously been engagement with relevant officials including members of existing LGBTI+ networks within the civil and public service to discuss progressing Action 2.4. Once the work of the EDI has progressed sufficiently, further consideration will be given to the development of wider civil and public networks.