42. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on progress to meet their commitments under the national human rights strategy for disabled people; the measures taken since the strategy was introduced; the key metrics identified to measure progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60736/26]

My Department is committed to supporting the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and advancing its core principles of equality, participation and choice across its policies, workplace, and operations. The Human Resources Strategy 2023-2027 for the Department, and the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action Plan 2026-2027 include a number of actions aimed at supporting greater diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

My Department is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment for employees with disabilities, and to ensuring equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with our obligations under part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, the Employment Equality Acts and the Code of Practice for the Appointment of People with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service.

The Department has a dedicated, full-time Disability Liaison Officer to support officers with disabilities, including with regard to implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Currently, 9.9% of Department staff have declared a disability.

My Department supports the continuous learning and professional development of all staff through a range of initiatives, including;

(i) training on Gender Equality, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, which incorporates a disability awareness module and is mandatory for all staff;

(ii) a new eLearning module on Disability Equality which provides an introduction to disability equality and supports learners in understanding how to create more inclusive and accessible public services;

(iii) an eLearning module on Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service; and

(iv) a one-day training course on Equality and Human Rights which aims to increase awareness of Human Rights, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace.

Every year, my Department also provides Irish Sign Language training to staff and later this year will run Disability Awareness Training for managers within the Department.

My Department also attaches the highest priority to ensuring its buildings, both at home and abroad, are accessible to people with disabilities. These measures support the Department's wider commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and equality, and contribute to the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.

In addition, the Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, as set out in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. In July 2026, the Department published a Public Sector Duty Assessment and accompanying Action Plan to identify and address human rights and equality issues affecting staff and service users. The Public Sector Duty is also reflected in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2026-2029 and Annual Reports. The assessment and action plan are available on www.gov.ie.