Every social welfare employee is currently receiving a daily email from the department’s LGBTQI+ network as part of Pride month. The mailings contain information on diversity resources on the network’s intranet page, and invites workers to take part in digital DEASP Pride events.

Employees, who are being encouraged to take part in cross-department Pride events, can also take part in a daily quiz, with a €25 One4All voucher is up for grabs.

The DEASP LGBTQI+ network, established last year through the Department’s long-running engagement and innovation programme, is made up of union, worker and employer representatives who’ve been busy conducting research, arranging a series of Pride events, and establishing workplace support networks for the LGBTQI+ community.

Fórsa activist and DEASP clerical branch member Sue Kelly said the project had received huge support and engagement from workers throughout the department. “It’s clear that diversity and inclusion is very close to everyone’s hearts,” she said.

The group has met with other departments and external organisations to help develop its diversity and equality strategy. “We’ve learned so much from other departments who have long established LGBTIQ+ networks,” said Sue, citing the justice department and Oireachtas as the pace-setters.

As well as planning and promoting Pride week, the project team is also running a survey help understand the workplace culture and identify possible bias in the workplace. They’ll follow up by recommending measures to ensure workplaces are welcoming and supportive of LGBTQI+ staff.

DEASP executive branch diversity officer, Fórsa activist and LGBTIQ+ network member Gary Fagan said the survey would establish a starting point from which the network would build. “It’s important to know our baseline so that we can develop and strive for better. All DEASP staff have received an email from the LGBTIQ+ network inviting them to participate in the survey. It is also available on the DEASP intranet,” said Gary.

Gary encouraged all DEASP workers to get involved, and said the network was working towards a compassionate and caring environment in the workplace, allowing all staff to be open and comfortable regardless of their sexual or gender identities.

“We hope this work will find permanency in a new HR area on diversity and inclusion, which will also include staff with disabilities,” he said.

More information on DEASP’s LGBTQI+ network can be found on the Department’s intranet page.

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