To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) total departmental expenditure, (b) number and (c) cost of people employed for the purpose of promoting equality and diversity was for each of the last five years.

My Department is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity and to fulfilling our statutory responsibilities in this regard. This work is co-ordinated by our Corporate Governance team in addition to a range of other duties. As such, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of costs and staff numbers as to do so would incur disproportionate cost. My Department has published an Equality Scheme and provides annual progress reports on delivery of the Scheme to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in line with our Section 15 responsibilities.

All staff in my Department have received Section 75 equality training—in 2013-14 this was provided at a cost of £4,775. In addition, all staff have access to a wide range of diversity networks in both Belfast and London.