An outline of the training made available to staff in relation to anti-racism or unconscious bias from 2021-2024 as requested by the Deputy is set out below.
• In 2021, mandatory diversity and inclusion training was provided by Legal Island, costing €5,840. In the same year, voluntary unconscious bias training was rolled out, costing €800.
• In 2022, mandatory unconscious bias training was provided by Legal Island, costing €5,450. In the same year, mandatory training on the importance of conscious inclusion training was rolled out, costing €5,450. Various OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on this topic at a cost of €100.
• In 2023, my Department did not hold any inhouse unconscious bias or anti-racism training pending the publication of its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Interviewer skills training was held which contained topics on unconscious biases, costing €2,200. Various OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on this topic at a cost of €200.
• In 2024, selected staff attended free interviewer skills training on the PAS eLearning hub which contained topics on unconscious biases. Various free OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service.
Please note we are unable to provide details of training content as it remains the property of the training providers.
