COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 19

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into if the Rainbow charter (Motion Item ID: 66057) was considered in the context of the Council's Equality and Human Rights Framework which was to be developed last year to meet our council responsibilities under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Act 2014. ? Also was the Council's Equality and Human Rights Framework done? and if so can a copy of same be circulated to elected members via email ?

REPLY:

The Council’s Equality and Human Rights Framework is set out in the 2020 - 2024 Corporate Plan which was approved by Council at its meeting of December 2019. The Corporate Plan is available on the Council's website. The Framework recognises the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect the human rights of service users and staff.
It presents an assessment of human rights and equality issues to be considered in carrying out the Council’s functions and services, and states how these issues are being or will be addressed. 

Within the Clondalkin Rainbow Charter there are five suggested areas for actions. These are:

1. We recognise the importance of visually sending a message that we are an LGBT+ friendly and aware place;
2. We proof our organisation, its policies and procedures to ensure the consideration and inclusion of the LGBT+ community in all aspects of our work;
3. We ensure that staff and volunteers are aware of including and welcoming members of the LGBT+ community in all our work;
4. We ensure that we have relevant information available for and about members of the LGBT+ community, our families and friends;
5. We raise awareness of the LGBT+ community among the people we work with.

South Dublin County Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and the LGBTQ+ community through a variety of actions. Provided below is a sample of the actions that we are taking that meet the Rainbow Charter suggested areas for action:

• The Pride Flag is flown over County Hall and Civic Offices Clondalkin in recognition of Pride Week each June. SDCC participated in the first Dublin Digital Pride in June 2020. The council will participate again in 2021.
• In recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility, SDCC will fly the Transgender Pride Flag for one month starting 31 March. The flag will also be flown on 20 November for International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
• SDCC LGBTQ+ Staff Network will, in partnership with Dublin City Council’s LGBT+ Staff Network, be hosting a webinar titled ‘Trans PRIDE at Work’ on Wednesday, 31 March 2021. The Networks hosted a related webinar titled ‘Out at Work’ in September 2020.
• Council policies, plans and staff forms are equality proofed on an ongoing basis.
  The South Dublin County Council LGBTQ+ Staff Network, was founded in October 2017 by members of staff of South Dublin County Council. Anyone who identifies on the LGBTQ+ spectrum who is directly employed by the Council is eligible to join. Membership is also open to retired and former employees. The Network provides a staff LGBTQ+ information page through the Council’s Intranet. The Council’s Equality Officer supports the Executive of the Network.
• Through the Social Inclusion Unit, the council is supporting the establishment of a South Dublin County LGBT+ Network. The Equality Officer and the current chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network are participating in this process.

The Clondalkin Rainbow Charter will be considered in the context of the Council’s Equality and Human Rights Framework, as set out in the 2019 - 2024 Corporate Plan, which is ongoing work to ensure we meet our responsibilities under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Act 2014.