Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
754. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41373/22]
View answerAll public bodies in Ireland have responsibility, under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans.
In April 2021, my Department published its most recent Statement of Strategy. As part of the development of the Strategy, the Department carried out an assessment of the human rights and equality issues it believes are central to its functions. These include voting accessibility; housing support services for disabled people; accommodation needs of older people; housing needs of the Traveller community; and promotion and support of human rights and equality principles as they apply to the staff of the Department.
The Strategy, available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/9a047-statement-of-strategy-2021-2025/, also outlines the key plans and policies identified to address these areas.
Progress in 2021 included the completion of an accessibility audit for three of the Department's main locations (including the Custom House); development of the Electoral Reform Bill which includes provision for the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission; and consultation on a new housing strategy for disabled people. Further details on progress will be included in my Department's Annual Report for 2021, which will be published shortly.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
