Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 imposes a statutory obligation on public bodies in performing their functions to have regard to the need to:

• Eliminate discrimination.
• Promote equality of opportunity and treatment for staff and persons to whom it provides services.
• Protect the human rights of staff and service users.

The Department’s Statement of Strategy 2024-2025 sets out the Department’s commitment to human rights and equality, in line with the Public Sector Duty.

In our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, the Department of Health committed to a self-assessment exercise which was completed in 2022. This self-assessment primarily focused on staff and structures within the Department. As part of the internal self-assessment, a range of actions were determined for implementation by Units and Departmental groups identified as having responsibility.

Committed actions in respect of the Public Sector Duty for the 2023-2025 strategic period include strengthening our internal functions, liaising with our many partners, implementing our national strategies and progress reporting in our Annual Report.

In relation to Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health, my Department has oversight of those agencies as set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 is a statutory obligation for public sector bodies under the aegis of my Department and they are required to comply with all applicable laws.