Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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542. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the social impact assessments carried out by her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit since 1 January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37297/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has carried out no formal social impact assessments since the start of 2016.  However, I can inform the Deputy that since 2019, my Department has provided equality budgeting objectives and performance indicators as part of the Revised Estimate Volume.

In addition, all proposals brought to Government are required to assess and declare that there are no impacts for the following: North/South or East/West relations, jobs, gender equality, poverty proofing, competitiveness and industry costs, rural communities, quality regulation and people with disabilities. Proposals from my Department undergo this assessment of impact before being brought to Cabinet.

Impact assessment is also a core element of the current system of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), which is a requirement for all Departments submitting policy proposals to Government involving legislative changes. The Regulatory Impact Analysis process specifically requires assessment of the impact on socially excluded or vulnerable groups of people.