Vol. 457 No. 5
54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the priority areas that have been brought to his attention where equality is in question in the community; the measures, if any, he proposes to take in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/95]
The promotion of equality of treatment is a priority of my Department. Among the key initiatives being undertaken to redress disadvantage experienced by particular groups in the community are the following: Legislation is being prepared which will outlaw discrimination on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin and membership of the travelling community. Two Bills are being prepared, the Employment Equality Bill dealing with discrimination in employment and the Equal Status Bill which will cover non-employment areas such as education, supply of goods and services and disposal of accommodation and premises.
The Commission on the Status of Disabilities is expected to report in April 1996. Its terms of reference require it to make recommendations setting out necessary changes in legislation, policies, practices and structures to ensure that the needs of people with a disability are met in a cohesive and comprehensive way.
The report of the task force on the travelling community made recommendations on key issues of relevance to travellers including accommodation, access to health services, education and training provision and economic development and employment; relationships between travellers and `settled' people; and the experience of travellers with a particular focus on culture, discrimination, traveller women and travellers with a disability. The Government has established an interdepartmental working group of officials to consider implementation of the report.
Substantial progress has been made in implementing recommendations of the report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women.
