Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
427. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any of the bodies under his aegis or any of the publicly funded bodies under his Department that are covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 have since enactment of the Act, been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30822/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Body |
Position |
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
The OPW is covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014. Since the enactment of the Act, the OPW has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
The NSSO is covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. Since the enactment of the Act, the NSSO has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. However, the NSSO has had initial conversations with the IHREC regarding its obligations in this regard. |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
PAS is covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. PAS has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
The Office of the Ombudsman is covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. The Office has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. |
|
State Laboratory |
The State Laboratory is covered by the Act. However, it does not deal with the public. The majority of the staff are recruited through the Public Appointments Service who have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy which recognises their statutory obligation to implement the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty set out under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. A small number of staff are recruited using a listed recruitment agency under license from the Commission for Public Service Appointments. The State Laboratory has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. |
|
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL) |
The ORNL is covered by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. The Office has not been invited by the Equality Commission to carry out a review or prepare and implement an action plan. |
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
The ESRI is not covered by the Act, as it was established as a company limited by guarantee and not by statute. Whilst the ESRI is not subject to the Act, the ESRI adheres to all relevant equality legislation and its policies are consistent with the Act. The ESRI strategic plan states that values of collegiality, equality of opportunity and respect will define its work environment. An Employment Equality Policy and a Dignity at Work Policy are in place. |
|
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
The IPA is a company limited by guarantee. However, the principles espoused in the Act are reflected in the Institute’s corporate policies and values. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will undertake a survey with public bodies in late August / September 2021 as part of its work to support and monitor implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty by public bodies. The IPA will complete this survey. |
|
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) |
The SEUPB is not covered by the Act. However, the SEUPB have a Disability Action Plan which it reports on annually to the Equality Commission (Northern Ireland). |
