Training for civil servants in diversity and inclusion still minimal
CIVIL servants are engaging in minimal levels of gender sensitivity training, despite allparty consensus on the importance of the issue.
Details of the training – or lack thereof – are revealed in responses to a series of parliamentary questions by the Independent TD Carol Nolan.
Deputy Nolan asked a cross section of Ministers the name of the external consultancy or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within their Departments from 2018 to date; and the costs associated with such services.
The responses reveal that former Public Expenditure
‘Diversity is still one of our Cinderellas’
Minister Paschal Donohoe was the biggest spender on diversity training, with Ernst & Young being hired to rewire the mandarins for €30,750.
The Department also held several cost-free events, including a talk from a Garda Inspector on his experience on the development of an LGBT employee network.
As part of the Pride 2019 series ‘a colleague from the Property Registration of Ireland body delivered a talk on how to foster a safe and supporting environment for LGBT colleagues.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: ‘In addition to arranging training, on diversity and inclusion-related topics, my Department also supports staff attendance at relevant conferences and staff participation in mentoring programmes that promote diversity and inclusion.’
This included expenditure in 2018 of €973.35 on ‘Unconscious Bias Training’ by CMC Business Psychology Ltd.
Interview Board Training (including unconscious bias) by Carr Communications cost the taxpayer €1,300 whilst the Department also held Harmony at Work Lunch and Learn sessions at no cost.
In 2019 Carr Communications were paid a further €2,600 for Interview Board Unconscious Bias Training.
New minister Eamon Ryan, who is under criticism within his own party over a lack of female appointments, said: ‘The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment rolled out a Diversity and Inclusion eLearning module to all staff in February 2020.’
The provider was Legal
Island and the cost was €4,500.
The Department of Finance spent a modest €5,610.36 on staff training for 53 staff on a one-off basis with CMC Business Psychology Ltd.
The embattled Housing Department has, surprisingly been one of the bigger enthusiasts for diversity.
Responding, it noted: ‘The Department’s People Strategy 2018-2020 (WELL – Wellbeing, Engagement, Learning and Development and Leadership) was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions to engage, support, develop and lead staff.’
It said: ‘The strategic goals identified under the WELL Strategy reflect the diversity of needs, motivations and experiences that are a feature of the modern workforce.’
Many other measures have been provided through the Department’s own resources since 2018. In 2019, the Department established its LGBT+ staff network, which organises events and talks and is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General. Since 2019, the Secretary General has given his supports to the 30% Club, which promotes gender equality and diversity and inclusion.
Astonishingly, the Department of Education has not spent anything on such training. Commenting on the expenditure levels, one minister admitted: ‘Spending is still at the ratio of a few thousand here and a few thousand there. Diversity is still one of our Cinderellas, I am afraid.’