754. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11819/20]

My Department is committed to creating a working environment in which differences are recognised and respected and in which all staff are valued as individuals. All HR policies are developed in such a manner to cultivate an inclusive work place.

The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021 was launched in November 2019 and my Department has a representative who sits on a Monitoring Committee with Department of Justice colleagues which was set up to oversee implementation of the actions in the Strategy.

Action 2.4 of the Strategy provides for the development of a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network. As an initial step, officials in my Department are working on developing a Diversity and Inclusion Network for staff of the Department.

My Department has continually successfully participated in the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which offers 6 month placements at EO level to graduates with disabilities.