The Review of the Equality Acts
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Ó: An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige
- Foilsithe: 6 Feabhra 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 7 Feabhra 2025
Background
A review of Ireland’s equality legislation, primarily the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 (the Acts) was announced in 2021.
The Review aims to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
Approval of General Scheme
November 2024
A General Scheme and Heads of Bill arising from this Review was approved by Government in November 2024. A link to this General Scheme is available here.
The General Scheme covers the following principal areas of reform:
• Repeal of Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.
• Changes to the definition of reasonable accommodation.
• Amendments to transpose Article 5 of the EU Pay Transparency Directive.
• Amendment to the definition of ‘vocational training.’
• Removal of differential pay for a disabled person.
• Amendments to the redress mechanisms under the Equality Acts.
• Amendment to the concept of victimisation.
• Compounding effect of discrimination
The use of non-disclosure agreements by employers in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination was progressed separately to this legislation and enacted as section 5 of the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
Other areas, including the potential introduction of an equality ground based on socio-economic status, remain under active consideration.
Report on Public Consultation
2023
The Department undertook a public written consultation seeking the public’s views, among other things, on:
1) The functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality;
2) The degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are obstacles which deter them from taking an action;
3) The scope of the current definitions of the nine equality grounds, and whether new grounds should be added, such as the ground of socio-economic discrimination;
4) Whether the legislation adequately addresses intersectionality or the intersection of discrimination across a number of grounds;
5) Whether existing exemptions in the legislation should be modified or removed.
See Consultation on the Review of the Equality Acts
The public consultation received a total of 581 submissions on a wide variety of subjects. A summary report of these submissions was published in July 2023 and is available here.
Announcement of Review
2021
The Review was announced in June 2021. Speaking at the time, the then Minister noted that:
“The Equality Acts have been in place for over 20 years and, while they have been frequently amended in the intervening years, it is timely to take a deeper look at the legislation, to look at what is working and what is not working, and to identify where there may be gaps. We want to ensure that the legislation is as effective as possible in combatting discrimination and promoting equality”.