Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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613. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports his Department is making available to the special rapporteur on racism and members of the national action plan on racism advisory committee, including office and technical supports; the remuneration that the special rapporteur and members of the advisory committee will receive or be entitled to claim, including travel and accommodation expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29565/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The newly appointed Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism will monitor progress towards the objectives of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR). The Special Rapporteur will make an annual report to the Minister; this report will also be submitted to the relevant Oireachtas Committee.

To support this work, an Advisory Committee on Racism and Racial Equality, chaired by the Special Rapporteur, has also been established with membership from a cross section of society. This Committee is also tasked with monitoring and helping to progress the implementation of the NAPAR, and will provide knowledge and expertise to the Special Rapporteur and advise and support the development and implementation of policies in this area.

The Special Rapporteur will be supported by two staff (one researcher and one administrative role, to be appointed), and will receive a stipend of €25,000 per annum for each year of their four-year term. Members of the Advisory Committee will be eligible to have their travel and subsistence costs met (in accordance with agreed civil service rates) where meetings occur in person.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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614. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details on how the special rapporteur on racism was selected; if any other candidates were considered; if so, how many; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29566/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), which was developed by an independent Anti-Racism Committee and approved by the Government for publication in March 2023, recommended the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of the plan.

An open competition for the purpose of recommending an individual for appointment to the position of the Special Rapporteur was run by the Public Appointments Service earlier this year. Following a shortlisting process, a list of candidates were selected for interview. Dr. Ebun Joseph has been appointed as the Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism with effect from 1 July 2024.