Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Chapter 5 Sustaining Progress
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5.3 Equality
Equality is a key goal which must underpin activity in all policy areas in order to ensure a fair and
inclusive society with equal opportunity. A comprehensive framework of equality legislation,
institutions and mechanisms is now in place. This framework comprehends the Employment Equality
and Equal Status Acts, together with the infrastructure which gives effect to them – the Equality
Authority and ODEI – Equality Tribunal, as well as the National Disability Authority which supports
mainstream policy and standards of service for people with disabilities. It is essential that this
Framework is kept up-to-date and relevant.
The key elements of the equality framework are:
■ the dissemination of information and increasing awareness of the protections available and the
duties imposed under equality legislation;
■ the continued development of opportunities to embed equality policy and practice as a core value
in Irish society;
■ support for key positive action measures and their implementation and monitoring;
■ new legislation to take account of EU developments;
■ maintenance of a strong infrastructural framework to underpin the drive to eliminate
discrimination, foster equal opportunity and support mainstreaming; and
■ to prioritise key statistical needs.
5.3.1 Key Actions
The review of the discriminatory grounds under equality legislation will be completed.
The Second Progress Report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on the
Travelling Community will be published in mid-2003. This will also inform the development of a more
focused approach to implementing the Task Force’s recommendations.
New approaches to promoting tolerance and understanding between the settled and Travelling
communities will be considered.
An integrated strategy to improve the participation and achievement of Travellers at every level
of education, co-ordinated by the high-level designated official and supported by enhanced datagathering,
will be implemented.
Gender balance on State Boards will be reviewed with a view to establishing how best to secure
a minimum of 40% female representation on such Boards.
A five-year National Women’s Strategy will be developed. The scoping work for this will be
done in 2003.
Measures to prevent violence against women and to support victims of such violence will continue
within the framework of the National Steering Group on Violence against Women and within the
equality framework. This will include the further provision of health and personal social services for
victims, as well as support for the regional planning committees.