Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit fulfil their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 requires a public body to assess, address and report onthe human rights and equality issues it believes to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body.

The requirements to Assess and Address have been dealt with under the Department’s Statement of Strategy. These are dealt with under the Department’s values, the goals and the strategic actions.

In setting out the values of the Department, the Statement of Strategy includes the following:

Treat our colleagues and those to whom we provide services equitably, in keeping with our Public Sector Human Rights and Equality obligations

Under the #Inclusion, Goal 4 states that:

Goal 4: Champion Equality

Provide leadership, advocate equality and respect for all, support inclusive learning, working and research environments, promote female leadership in academia and research, eliminate harassment and promote the principle of consent.

The Action Plan in the Statement of Strategy includes the following action:

17. Equality & Respect

Develop policy on a Consent Framework including ensuring that each higher education institution prepares an individual action plan; also consider data emerging from a new Gender Equality survey being developed by the Higher Education Authority.

The final obligation, to Report, will be included in the Department’s Annual Report.

Since its formation in 2020, the Department has progressed a number of additional specific initiatives which impact on the protection and advancement of human rights and equality such as: pathways to third level education for people with intellectual disabilities, funding supports for Traveller education, prisoner education programme and the development of a new National Access Plan.

The compliance with section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 by the bodies and agencies under the aegis of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is a matter relating to the internal functioning of these agencies. The Minister has engaged and continues to engage with agencies in relation to the implementation of their obligations under the Disability Act 2005, in relation to the Social Inclusion Roadmap and other relevant human rights and equality obligations as they arise.