Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1090. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the progress that has been made on the review of equality legislation; what the timeline for this review is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (The Equality Acts) is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
The Review is encompassing the 2020 Programme for Government commitments to amend the gender ground in equality legislation to ensure that someone discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity is able to avail of the legislation, and to examine the introduction of a new ground based on disadvantaged socio-economic status.
In July 2021, I launched a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on the 12th of July 2023.
Submissions were received on a wide variety of subjects including all the equality grounds: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community, and the housing assistance ground. Other issues raised in the submissions included the proposed protections for gender identity, the proposed ground for disadvantaged socio-economic status and the use of NDAs in discrimination settlements. Incorporating intersectionality into the legislation was also raised throughout the submissions.
Many submissions also commented on the functioning and accessibility of the Equality Acts and proposed how the legislation could be more accessible to the public and better protect people from discrimination.
It is intended that legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward this year, following detailed examination of the issues raised in the consultation process and of relevant research in this area.
