Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Publicjobs.ie plays a central role in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities. As recruiters and employers, we recognise and value the importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient, and reflective of the communities it serves.

“We recruit a diversity of people for the public service with the talent, character and commitment to deliver for Ireland”

We believe that a thriving, inclusive public service that is energised by the contribution of employees from all sectors of society leads to more innovative, productive workplaces and more responsive and inclusive policies, programmes and services. All of our activities and initiatives are underpinned by our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) 2021-2023 strategy

Our Mission: To recruit a diverse range of people with the talent, character and commitment to deliver for Ireland.

Our Vision: To be recognised as the centre of excellence in recruitment, trusted by those we serve.

The three key strategic priorities identified in the strategy include:

1. Greater knowledge and understanding of diversity in the recruitment market and the Irish public sector
2. Recruitment and selection processes that encourage and enable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds
3. Our culture models best practice in ED&I and we support our clients in building inclusive workplaces

Accessibility 

If you are a candidate with a disability and encounter difficulty accessing any part of this website or wish to discuss any matter relating to the accessibility of our building or services, please contact our Disability Champion Amanda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that non-disability related queries must be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For information on the accessibility of our services, please visit our accessibility page.

Reasonable Accommodations

Our commitment is to make any reasonable accommodation for you in the recruitment process to give you the best opportunity to perform to your optimum in the application, test, and interview process. For more information about our reasonable adjustments, please see our Reasonable Accommodations Request Process.

For advice on our application, testing and interview stages, please visit Our Recruitment Process.

Charter for Positive Support

As part of our commitment to positively supporting candidates with disabilities, we have developed a set of principles that underpin how we engage with candidates with disabilities. For applicants who have declared to us that they have a disability, we will ensure that reasonable accommodations are in place as stated in our Charter for Positive Support.

Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 

Our ED&I strategy drives and guides our activities which builds on achievements and progress made to date. Importantly, our ED&I strategy is aligned and embedded in our Corporate Strategy NUA 2020-2023.

The strategy was formally launched with an opening address from Minister Michael McGrath, who emphasised the importance of focusing on ED&I and acknowledge the role we play in attracting and recruiting people from diverse backgrounds. 

This encouraging two-hour webinar explored the theme of inclusive recruitment and employment, showcasing initiatives that can help us move towards a more diverse public sector, amplifying the lived experience and providing practical takeaways. Watch the full Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion 2021-2023 strategy launch event  

Watch the full Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 2021-2023 strategy launch event.

Consultation and Analysis 

Our strategy is the result of a range of ‘voices’ that shaped the strategy during the consultation stage. Engagement with a range of external and internal stakeholders played a significant role in informing and strengthening the development of our ED&I Strategy. We ran focus groups targeting people in civil and public service and not-for-profit organisations with an interest or specific role related to equality, diversity, inclusion, recruitment and employment. The data which was gathered was analysed with the support of Dr. Chris McInerny, department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Limerick. 

Strategy Delivery 

We established an ED&I project board to drive the delivery of their ED&I strategy. The project board is chaired by Salome Mbugua, a commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and founder of a migrant women’s NGO. Bringing external expertise in ED&I onto this board ensures that our plans are developed and challenged to ensure best practice. 

Inclusive Employment in Action 

Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme

The Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for adults with an intellectual disability. It is facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in collaboration with KARE and WALK. The goal of the OWL programme is to provide trainees with the skills, knowledge and ability to gain meaningful paid employment. It offers a unique opportunity to gain practical work experience, as well as providing accreditation for their learning over an 11-month period. Previous graduates are now employed on a part-time basis in the Civil Service and the Oireachtas Service. 

Find out more about enhancing organisational inclusivity and how to get involved in the programme by downloading the Guide to Promoting Inclusive Employment and visiting the House of Oireachtas OWL Programme webpage.

Testimonials:

“Well, first and foremost it’s given me confidence to work, and lastly, to express how I feel” – Andrew

“I also learned to build up my confidence because usually I’m not good with people” – Daniel

“It’s the best thing I have done. I love being able to work up in Dublin and I love getting my wages.” – Craig

How do I apply to become an OWL trainee?

The first step is to contact WALK or KARE, depending on where you live. They will send you an application form and more information.

If you live in the Dublin area, contact Vicki Hogan, day service programme coordinator at WALK at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you live in the Kildare area, contact Peter Furlong, operations manager at KARE at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme 

The Civil Service Equality Unit works in partnership with the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) to create a six-month paid programme aimed at graduates with disabilities. The programme allows graduates the opportunity to gain work experience, develop their careers, learn new skills, train and receive support during their paid placement.

To date, the WAM Programme has provided placements to over 350 graduates. We actively encourage graduates to apply for roles with us through the WAM Programme. For more information and opportunities, please visit the AHEAD website and you can register for the WAM programme on this webpage.

Testimonials from participants:

“Do not be afraid of challenges. Most importantly make sure you are included in the workplace and advise employers what you need and want.” – Kevin Stanley, Property Registration Authority Ireland

“I now know that it is more important to relax, learn and enjoy the experience of working while building relationships with colleagues. I would advise other graduates to consider working with the Civil Service. It is such a positive experience, you make memories and friends - it was my best workplace.” – Maeve Dermody, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

“I now realise I should have relaxed more, worried less and enjoyed the experience. I should not see myself as any different to anyone else, even in an organisation where the number of disabled employees is minimal. Until the overall recruitment process is more suitably adapted for those with disabilities and made more job specific, the WAM Programme should be used more as an entry route for graduates with disabilities.” – Rachel Naughton, Legal Services, An Garda Síochána

The Managers - What they have to say

“There were challenges. The key to overcoming them was not to be afraid to identify them early and to look for support in dealing with them. Nobody benefits if nothing is done when issues need to be addressed.”

Lisa Sheedy, Assistant Principal Officer with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

“There are benefits to your immediate work area, in terms of getting a graduate with a relevant skill set, but there are also benefits beyond your own unit/branch in terms of challenging perceptions and bias and promoting equality which is important for any manager in the Civil Service.”

Linda Walsh, Assistant Principal Officer in the Revenue Commissioners, with responsibility for Customs legislation.

More information 

For information on the accessibility of our services, please visit our accessibility page or you can contact our Disability Champion: 

Amanda Kavanagh,

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:(01) 8587655