Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
429. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the review of equality legislation; the timeline for the completion of the review; the expected timeline for when legislative proposals arising from the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is planned that legislative proposals arising from the Review of the Equality Acts will be brought forward in the coming months.
The Review is examining the operation of the Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under their redress mechanisms. It is also 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.
In July 2021, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015) to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
The Department invited written submissions to the public consultation from 6 July 2021 to 8 December 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation. The public were asked for their views on the functioning and accessibility of the acts; the scope of the current grounds; whether existing exemptions should be modified or removed; and whether the legislation adequately addresses intersectionality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on the 12 July 2023 and can be accessed here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/cafb4-minister-ogorman-publishes-report-on-the-submissions-to-the-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-equality-acts
