Written answers

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Equality Issues

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to add the tenth ground of discrimination and codify socioeconomic status as a protected ground under the Equality Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43570/24]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The introduction of a new equality ground, based on disadvantaged socioeconomic status, was considered as part of my Department's wider review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (the Equality Acts). This followed a Programme for Government commitment to examine the introduction of such a ground. It is intended that legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought to Government in the coming weeks.

The review of the Equality Acts has examined the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of a person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It has further examined the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.

My Department invited written submissions to a public consultation from 06 July 2021 - 08 December 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response. The public were asked for their views on the functioning and accessibility of the Acts; the scope of the current grounds; whether existing exemptions should be modified or removed; and whether the legislation adequately addresses intersectionality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on 12 July 2023 on the Department's website.

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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22. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how LGBTQI+ funding streams provided by his Department go towards organisations working with and initiatives for the benefit of LGBTQI+ people living in rural areas, and LGBTQI+ older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43345/24]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In line with the commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, my Department continues to support LGBTI+ organisations and initiatives through the annual LGBTI+ Community Services Fund Call. The call provides for initiatives that will promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and well-being for members of the LGBTI+ community, both local and regional, enabling them to participate fully in Ireland's social, economic, cultural and political life.

Since its establishment in 2020, a total of 123 LGBTI+ projects have been allocated €4,457,323 in funding. Of this, 72% of the projects have had a geographical scope outside of the Dublin region. To illustrate a few examples, GOSHH Ireland’s rainbow development project has done a huge amount of work in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. Outcomers has worked on visibility and support groups in the northeast; Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and Youth Work Ireland Cork has established pop up rural support groups.

This funding call is very much in keeping with the aims and objectives of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy. My Department is committed to providing support and funding to a wide and diverse range of LGBTI+ organisations in their delivery of targeted programmes and services throughout Ireland, ensuring they are accessible to all LGBTI+ persons, irrespective of their age or where they live.

Details of successful projects are published on my Departments website every year. I anticipate announcing the successful projects to be funded under the 2024 LGBTI+ Community Services Fund shortly.

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