My Department is currently reviewing the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015). This review examines the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
In July of this year I published a report on submissions to a public consultation on this Review. This report is available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/cafb4-minister-ogorman-publishes-report-on-the-submissions-to-the-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-equality-acts/
Submissions were invited on a range of issues, including:
• the effectiveness of the Acts,
• whether there are obstacles to taking an action under the Acts,
• the scope of the current equality grounds, and whether new grounds should be added, such as the ground of socio-economic discrimination.
My officials are now finalising policy and legislative proposals and I plan to bring them to Government for approval in the new year.