Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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455. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the review of equality legislation; the person or organisation carrying out the review; the terms of reference of the review; the status of the consideration of the submissions received in the public consultation; when he expects the review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35996/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In July 2021, I 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 purpose of the review is to examine the operation of the Acts to assess their effectiveness with regard to those taking claims under their redress mechanisms. It is examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles that preclude or deter them from taking an action. The review also includes consideration of Programme for Government commitments to examine the introduction of a socio-economic ground for discrimination and protections for gender identity under the current legislation.

The Department was pleased to receive an extensive response to the public consultation. Submissions are currently being analysed by officials in my Department and it is intended that the outcome of the consultation will be made public when this is complete. It is expected that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward in 2023.  However, the nature of these proposals will be informed by the analysis, currently underway, of the issues raised during the consultation process.