2196. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost of introducing mandatory, continuous anti-racism, cultural competency and unconscious bias training across all public sector staff, as recommended in the first annual report of the Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism; the providers through which such training will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60961/26]

The First Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism contains a number of recommendations for Government consideration.

My Department's consideration of the recommendations is ongoing and forms part of broader work to strengthen the State's response to racism, promote equality, and support the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027.

As such, no decision has been taken regarding the introduction of mandatory, continuous anti-racism, cultural competency and unconscious bias training across all public sector staff. Accordingly, I do not have an estimate of the cost of introducing such training.

Under section 42(1) of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, public bodies must have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect human rights, for employees, service users, members and policy beneficiaries, across all their function areas. Individual Departments and public bodies are responsible for meeting their obligations in this regard and for determining the measures necessary to support compliance with those obligations.