Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:31 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to extend the remit of the Employment Equality Agency; and if so, the form this will take. [6413/96]
Written Answers. - Employment Equality Agency.
The proposed Employment Equality and Equal Status Bills will prohibit discrimination in employment and in non-workplace areas such as education, provision of goods and services and disposal of property and accommodation on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin or membership of the traveller community. The enactment of these Bills will necessitate the restructuring of the Employment Equality Agency to reflect its wider responsibilities under the legislation, both as regards scope and functions.
While an assessment of the revised structures and additional resources necessary to enable the new body fulfil its role has still to be completed, I have provided an allocation of £750,000 for the agency this year which includes a significant increase for additional salary and operational costs which will arise during 1996 as a result of any broader remit.