Annual Report 2004.pdf - Equality Authority

A Thematic Approachto EqualityThe mission statement of the EqualityAuthority states that‘The Equality Authority is committed torealising positive change in the situationof those experiencing inequality by:1. Promoting and defending therights established in the equalitylegislation, and2. Providing leadership in –• building a commitment to addressingequality issues in practice.• creating a wider awareness ofequality issues.• celebrating the diversity in Irishsociety.• mainstreaming equalityconsiderations across all sectors.’The Equality Authority in implementingits mandate to promote equality ofopportunity and to combat discriminationin the areas covered by the EmploymentEquality Acts 1998 and 2004 and the EqualStatus Acts 2000 to 2004 has organised itswork and resources around the followingthemes:1. Building equality in service provisionthat impacts on the quality of people’slives.2. Contributing to a more accessibleworkplace and labour market.3. Developing initiatives specific to thedisability ground, to the issue of carersunder the family status ground, and tothe issue of racism.4. Supporting the development of effectiveequality strategies at national and locallevel.5. Addressing the specific situation andexperience of those within the ninegrounds faced with additional barriersof poverty and exclusion.6. Maintaining and developing theinternal structures and systems of theEquality Authority.Priority areas of work are identified eachyear under these themes. These serve todirect and integrate the differentfunctions, powers and resources of theEquality Authority.Equality Authority Annual Report 2004 • 79