Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Jun 2016

Vol. 912 No. 2

Equal Status (Equality Proofing) (Amendment) Bill 2016: First Stage

Deputy David Cullinane

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to promote equality in the functioning of public bodies, to provide that regard be had by public bodies to the desirability of reducing socio-economic and other inequalities, to provide for the carrying out of equality impact assessments in respect of measures that are likely to have significant impact or effect on the equality of opportunity between persons, to provide for the administration by the Equality Authority of various matters pertaining to this Act, to amend the Equal Status Act 2000, and to provide for related matters.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the Bill opposed?

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Regina Doherty)

No.

Question put and agreed to.

An Ceann Comhairle

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Deputy David Cullinane

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the time to move this Bill today. It amends the existing legislation and aims to provide for equality-proofing of Government policy, budgets and public bodies through impact assessments. Its aim is to promote equality in the functioning of public bodies and to provide for the carrying out of equality impact assessments in respect of measures that are likely to have a significant impact or effect on equality of opportunity. The Bill will ensure both Government and public bodies exercise their functions in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome that result from socioeconomic disadvantage. It is quite extensive. It puts a requirement on the State to carry out proper equality-proofed budgeting. We know from all the analysis from the ESRI that, budget after budget, income inequality has increased and poverty has increased. We want to get to a point where we know the impact of decisions at budget time and policies in terms of whether they will increase poverty. That is the thrust of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.