Written answers

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Department of Finance

Equality Proofing of Budgets

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on progress on examining the use of equality proofing in the budgetary process this year. [31872/13]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I would like to make the Deputy aware that the Programme for Government does contain a commitment to require all public bodies to take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions. Furthermore, the Cabinet handbook requires a statement on the likely effects of the decision sought on equality and persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion to be included in Memoranda to Government. Consequently, Government does consider each of these important issues at an individual policy or programme level. I would also remind the Deputy that the State and its bodies take the provisions of equality legislation into account in the development and delivery of its policies and services. Finally, as referenced in previous parliamentary questions, the often quoted Scottish model is expenditure focussed and as such is more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

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