Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2005
97 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent concern expressed by the chief executive of the Equality Authority (details supplied) at what he described as the disturbing level of discrimination within the public service; the steps which are being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38988/05]
View answerI am aware of the statement made by the chief executive of the Equality Authority. Speaking at the launch of the publication "Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 and Provision of Health Services"— a joint initiative of the Equality Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive — the chief executive praised the health sector for demonstrating leadership in the area of equality. He said there was a particular challenge for the wider public sector in the provision of services in accordance with the standards set out in the Equal Status Acts and pointed out that public service cases accounted for nearly 25% of the Equality Authority case files under these Acts during 2004.
The Deputy will be aware that the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation, disposal of premises and education. Discrimination is prohibited on nine grounds: gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. In the Civil Service, customer service is a particular priority in accordance with good practice and legal requirements.
All Departments and offices have customer service policies which govern all contacts between the office and members of the public to ensure that good and efficient services are provided. These customer service policies are supported by policies for employees on diversity, gender equality and disability which, while they have an internal focus, help to make all staff aware of the importance of equality issues. Parallel policies are adopted in other parts of the public service. I assure the Deputy that all public sector organisations take seriously their responsibilities under the Equal Status Acts.
