The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s Publication Scheme is prepared under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014.
This Publication Scheme is designed to facilitate the provision of up-to-date information relating to the Commission’s organisational structure, functions, services, decision-making, finance, procurement and FOI. The Publication Scheme is web based, and contains links to reference material which will be updated as provided for under the FOI Act 2014.
If you require information that is not currently made publicly available as part of this Publication Scheme, you may consider making an FOI Request to IHREC by sending an email request to foi@ihrec.ie
Information about the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was established on 1 November 2014, under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
Section 10 (1) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 sets out the overall functions of the Commission as:
- to protect and promote human rights and equality,
- to encourage the development of a culture of respect for human rights, equality, and intercultural understanding in the State,
- to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights and equality in the State,
- to encourage good practice in intercultural relations, to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State and respect for the freedom and dignity of each person, and
- to work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct.
Section 10 (2) of the Act sets out a wide range of specific functions and powers through which the Commission can address its overall mandate.
In undertaking its mandate, the Commission is obliged by section 10(3) of the Act to exercise its functions with a view to encouraging and supporting the development of a society in which:
- there is respect for, and protection of, each person’s human rights;
- there is respect for the dignity and worth of each person;
- a person’s ability to achieve his or her potential is not limited by prejudice, discrimination, neglect or prohibited conduct;
- each person has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the economic, political, social or cultural life of the State, and;
- there is mutual respect between persons, including classes of persons, based on a shared understanding of the value of diversity within society and on a shared respect for equality and human rights.
Section 12(1) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act specifies that the Commission shall consist of not more than 15 and not less than 12 members, one of whom shall be the Chief Commissioner of the Commission.
The provisions of the Act are designed to ensure the independence of the Commission in its work. Commission members are appointed by the President of Ireland following a resolution by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and the members independently determine the Commission’s policy and activity.
The structural independence of the Commission, in accordance with the Paris Principles, has been recognised in its “A” Status accreditation as an NHRI with the United Nations.
The Commission conducts approximately 6-8 ordinary plenary meetings per year. In addition, extraordinary meetings of the Commission may be conducted to facilitate the recording of time-sensitive decisions in between scheduled ordinary plenary meetings.
A full breakdown of Commission membership and attendance for previous years is published in the Commission’s Annual Reports.
Decision-making at Commission level is conducted, where possible, on the basis of consensus. Where there is a diversity of opinion on a given matter, a majority vote may be taken to determine the Commission’s position.
The Act specifies that there should be a Director of the Commission, who shall carry on and manage, and control generally, the administration of the Commission. The Director is accountable to the Commission for the efficient and effective management of the Commission.
The Commission is funded through a Vote of the Oireachtas and the Director of the Commission is the Accounting Officer for its Vote.
The overall governance and control framework within the Commission is guided by:
- Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014;
- Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies;
- Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service;
- Ethics in Public Office Act 1995;
- Standards in Public Office Act 2001;
- Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers (the Mullarkey Report);
- Public Financial Procedures 2008.
The Commission is the employer of its staff who are civil servants in the civil service of the State, and who are paid according to standard civil service scales. The organisational and pay grading structure of the current staff as of March 2025 is:
Grade/Pay Scale No. on Scale:
Chief Commissioner – 1
Director – 1
Principal Officer – 4
Assistant Principal Officer – 16
Higher Executive Officer – 19
Administrative Officer – 10
Executive Officer – 20
Clerical Officer – 11
Service Officer – 1
Records held by the Commission fall within the following categories:
General
- Annual Reports;
- Strategy Statements;
- Work Plans;
- Minutes of Plenary Meetings;
- Internal Administration Records.
Legal
- Records of legal assistance sought and received under Section 40;
- Records of legal queries;
- Records related to Amicus Curiae briefs.
Policy & Research
- Published research reports;
- Published policy position statements.
Strategic Engagement
- Contacts with Government Departments;
- Contacts with Oireachtas Committees;
- Press Cuttings;
- Speeches and Presentations;
- Records relating to publication of reports e.g. annual reports.
Corporate Affairs
- Corporate Assurance Agreement(s);
- Accounts records;
- Assets Register;
- Risk Register;
- Facilities records;
- ICT records;
- Human Resources Records;
- Civil/Public Service Guidelines and Circulars;
- Internal procedures records;
- FOI Requests;
- Data Protection Requests;
- General enquiries/correspondence.
Location
Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission
16-22 Green Street
Dublin 7
D07 CR20
Contact Details
For general/business enquiries please contact:
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 8589601
Email: info@ihrec.ie
Services Provided to the Public
The Commission, through its free Your Rights information service can provide you with information on your rights, and the remedies available to you, under equality and human rights law in Ireland. This includes information on:
- Work-related discrimination
- Discrimination in relation to goods and services
- Discrimination in relation to education
- Human rights protections under Irish law
Please note that the Your Rights service can only provide information, and specifically cannot provide legal advice.
Also the Your Rights information service cannot:
- Provide information on matters not covered by equality law or human rights law.
- Provide information on human rights and equality issues which happen outside the Republic of Ireland.
How information on Your Rights can be accessed
Your Rights information is available on our website.
Decision Making Process for Major Policy Proposals
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act specifies that the Commission shall consist of not more than 15 and not less than 12 members, one of whom shall be the Chief Commissioner of the Commission.
The provisions of the Act are designed to ensure the independence of the Commission in its work. Commission members are appointed by the President of Ireland following a resolution by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and the members independently determine the Commission’s policy and activity.
Financial Information
The Commission is funded through a Vote of the Oireachtas, which is published in the Annual Government Estimates, and the Director of the Commission is the Accounting Officer for its Vote.
In accordance with section 27(1) of the IHREC Act 2014, the Commission is responsible for preparing Appropriation Accounts and for ensuring the regularity of all financial transactions. The functions underpinning these responsibilities include authorising and monitoring payments for goods and services, tendering processes, the operation of payroll and the compilation of monthly returns to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Appropriation Account
The IHREC Accounts 2024 were published and laid before the Oireachtas by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Appropriation Accounts of the Commission are published annually by the Comptroller & Auditor General under Vote 25.
Expenditure increased from €8,268k in 2023 to €8,736 k in 2024 which represents an increase of 5%.
The surplus of IHREC’s budget that was not spent and was surrendered back to the Exchequer increased from €31,042k in 2023 to €153,988k in 2024.
The increase in expenditure and surplus to surrender represents a significant improvement in Financial Management in 2024 compared to previous years.
The IHREC Accounts 2023 were published and laid before the Oireachtas by the Comptroller and Auditor General.The Appropriation Accounts of the Commission are published annually by the Comptroller & Auditor General under Vote 25.
Expenditure increased from €7,509k in 2022 to € 8,268k in 2023 which represents an increase of 10%.
The surplus of IHREC’s budget that was not spent and was surrendered back to the Exchequer increased from €24,118k in 2022 to €31,042k in 2023.
The increase in expenditure and surplus to surrender represents a significant improvement in Financial Management in 2023 compared to previous years.
The IHREC Accounts 2022 were published and laid before the Oireachtas by the Comptroller and Auditor General on 29th September.
The Appropriation Accounts of the Commission are published annually by the Comptroller & Auditor General under Vote 25.
Expenditure increased from €6,741k in 2021 to €7,509k in 2022 which represents an increase of 11%.[AB2]
The surplus of IHREC’s budget that was not spent and was surrendered back to the Exchequer reduced from €192k in 2021 to only €24k in 2022.
The increase in expenditure and reduction in surplus to surrender represents a significant improvement in Financial Management in 2022 compared to previous years.
Prompt Payments
In accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 2 and 8 March 2011, the Commission is required to ensure that valid invoices are paid within 15 days from the date they are received.
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 (Quarter 1)
Total payments made in Quarter: 311
- Value: €879,428.41
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 228
- Value: €566,101.85
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 73.31%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 62
- Value: €226,723.46
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 19.94%
Payments made within 30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 13
- Value: €7,854.84
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 4.18%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 8
- Value: €78,748.26
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 2.57%
Amount of late payment interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €150.73 0
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter €580.00
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 April to 30 June 2024 (Quarter 2)
Total payments made in Quarter: 346
- Value: €678,500.42
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 264
- Value: €434,653.34
- Percentage of total number payments made: 77%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 56
- Value: €148,684.99
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 16%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 15
- Value: €47,182.96
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 4%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 11
- Value: €47,979.13
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 3%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €774.55
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €870.00
Quarterly period covered- July to September 2024 (Quarter 3)
Total payments made in Quarter: 291
- Value: €523,033.18
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 243
- Value: €371,985.83
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 83.51%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 30
- Value: €112,477.73
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 10.31%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 5
- Value: €16,393.55
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 1.72%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 13
- Value: €22,176.07
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 4.47%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €12.22
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €260
Quarterly Period Covered- October to December 2024 (Quarter 4)
Total payments made in Quarter: 433
- Value: €1,187,268.71
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 373
Value:
Quarterly period covered: 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 (Quarter 1)
Total payments made in Quarter: 287
- Value: €463,907.82
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 243
- Value: €397,212.60
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 85.62%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 3
- Value: €54,437.92
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 11.73%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 10
- Value: €10,347.70
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 2.23%
Amount of Late Payment Interest paid in Quarter: €19.30
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €150.00
Quarterly Period Covered: April- June 2023 (Quarter 2)
Total payments made in Quarter: 336
- Value: €645,962.85
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 279
- Value: €449,258.51
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 69.55%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 36
- Value: €90,638.47
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 14.03%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 12
- Value: €14,528.06
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 2.25%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 9
- Value: €91,537.81
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 14.17%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €55.55
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €600.00
Quarterly Period Covered: July- September 2023 (Quarter 3)
Total payments made in Quarter: 245
- Value: €488,134.81
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 186
- Value: €284,381.70
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 58.26%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 48
- Value: €136,372.55
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 27.94%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 11
- Value: €67,380.56
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 13.80%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 2
- Value: €196.65
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 0.04%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €149.93
Amount of compensation paid in Quarter: €770.00
Quarterly Period Covered: October to December 2023 (Quarter 4)
Total payments made in Quarter: 478
- Value: €1,246,205.15
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 418
- Value: €1,038,115.06
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 87.45%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 45
- Value: €158,676.54
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 9.41%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 4
- Value: €9,133.75
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 0.84%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 11
- Value: €40,279.80
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 2.30%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €98.10
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €190.00
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022 (Quarter 1)
Total payments made in Quarter: 185
- Value: €349,903.87
- Percentage of total number: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 170
- Value: €267,064.73
- Percentage of total number: 76.33%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 15
- Value: €93,909.14
- Percentage of total number: 26.84%
Quarterly period covered: April- June 2022 (Quarter 2)
Total payments made in Quarter: 286
- Value: €501,219.66
- Percentage of total number: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 264
- Value: €479,633.83
- Percentage of total number: 95.69%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 16
- Value: €11,922.96
- Percentage of total number: 2.38%
30 days that were subject to Late Payment Interest (LPI) and compensation costs:2
- Value: €3,936.00
- Percentage of total: 0.79%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 3
- Value: €1,594.07
- Percentage of total number: 0.32%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €63.84
Amount of compensation costs pain in Quarter: €140.00
Quarterly Period Covered: July to September 2022 (Quarter 3)
Total Payments made in Quarter: 310
- Value: €536,201.84
- Percentage of total number: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 269
- Value: €482,681.18
- Percentage of total number 90.02%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 30
- Value: €46,301.13
- Percentage of total number: 8.64%
30 days that were subject to Late Payment Interest (LPI) and compensation costs: 4
- Value: €6,367.19
- Percentage of total number: 1.19%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 7
- Value: €852.34
- Percentage of total number: 0.16%
Amount of LPI paid in Quarter: €88.83
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €250.00
Quarterly Period Covered: September 2022- December 2022 (Quarter 4)
Total Payments made in Quarter: 439
- Value: €1,625,058.48
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 405
- Value: €1,503,670.66
- Percentage of total number: 92.53%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 27
- Value: €81,058.21
- Percentage of total number 4.99%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 3
- Value: €19,335.60
- Percentage of total number: 1.19%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 4
- Value: €20,994.01
- Percentage of total number: 1.29%
Amount of late payment interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €14.67
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €240.00
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 (Quarter 1)
Total Payments made in Quarter: 158
- Value: €406,919.67
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 158
- Value: €406,348.21
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 99%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 1
- Value: €571.46
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 1%
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021 (Quarter 2)
Total payments made in Quarter: 132
- Value: €452,786.32
- Percentage of total number of payments: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 95
- Value: €356,558.88
- Percentage of total number of payments: 71.97%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 23
- Value: €69,701.59
- Percentage of total number of payments: 17.42%
30 days that were subject to LPI (Late Payment Interest) and compensation costs: 7
- Value: €5,793.87
- Percentage of total number of payments: 5.3%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 7
- Value €20,731.98
- Percentage of total number of payments: 5.3%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €12.94
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €290.00
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021 (Quarter 3)
Total payments made in Quarter: 147
- Value: €329,741.70
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 123
- Value: €284,369.53
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 83.67%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 20
- Value: €43,654.76
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 13.61%
30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 3
- Value: €1,492.41
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 2.04%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 1
- Value: €225.00
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 0.68%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €3.02
Amount of compensation costs pain in Quarter: €120.00
Quarterly Period Covered: 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021 (Quarter 4)
Total payments made in Quarter: 394
- Value: €1,673,864.60
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 100%
Payments made within 15 days: 359
- Value: €1,611,344.30
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 91.12%
Payments made within 16 days to 30 days: 29
- Value: €50,252.68
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 7.36%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were subject to LPI and compensation costs: 2
- Value: €8,037.25
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 0.51%
Payments made in excess of 30 days that were not subject to LPI and compensation costs: 4
- Value: €4,230.37
- Percentage of total number of payments made: 1.02%
Amount of Late Payment Interest (LPI) paid in Quarter: €97.03
Amount of compensation costs paid in Quarter: €110.00
Commission Member Remuneration/Travel & Subsistence
Commission Member Fees Expenses
Salome Mbugua Henry €7,695.00 no expenses
Adam Harris €7,695.00 no expenses
Rosaleen McDonagh €7,695.00 no expenses
Michael Finucane €7,695.00 no expenses
Kathleen Lynch €7,695.00 no expenses
Jim Clarken €7,695.00 no expenses
Sunniva McDonagh €7,695.00 no expenses
Dr. Lucy Michael €7,695.00 no expenses
Colin Harvey €8,320.75 no expenses
Eoin Ronayne €8,320.75 €465.77
Noeline Blackwell €8,320.75 no expenses
Caoilfhionn Gallagher €8,320.75 no expenses
Ray Murphy €2,565.00 no expenses
Sinead Gibney no fees no expenses
Liam Herrick no fees no expenses
Total: €97,408.00 €465.77
Commission Member Fees Expenses
Salome Mbugua Henry €5,145.50 no expenses
Adam Harris €5,145.50 no expenses
Rosaleen McDonagh €5,145.50 no expenses
Michael Finucane €5,145.50 no expenses
Kathleen Lynch €5,145.50 no expenses
Jim Clarken €5,145.50 no expenses
Sunniva McDonagh €5,145.50 no expenses
Dr. Lucy Michael €5,145.50 no expenses
Heidi Foster Breslin €3,221.75 €176.60
Caroline Fennell €3,221.75 €907.17
Tony Geoghegan €3,221.75 no expenses
Colm O'Dwyer €3,221.75 no expenses
Colin Harvey €1,298.00 €51.89
Eoin Ronayne €1,298.00 no expenses
Noeline Blackwell €1,298.00 no expenses
Caoilfhionn Gallagher no fees no expenses
Ray Murphy no fees €481.22
Frank Conaty no fees €639.27
Sinead Gibney no fees €1,263.72
Total €62,325.25 €3,519.87
Commission Member Fees Expenses
Salome Mbugua Henry €7,695.00 no expenses
Adam Harris €7,695.00 no expenses
Rosaleen McDonagh €7,695.00 no expenses
Michael Finucane €7,695.00 no expenses
Kathleen Lynch €7,695.00 no expenses
Jim Clarken €7,695.00 €281.14
Sunniva McDonagh €7,695.00 €120.54
Dr. Lucy Michael €7,695.00 no expenses
Heidi Foster Breslin €7,695.00 no expenses
Caroline Fennell €7,695.00 €2,947.68
Tony Geoghegan €7,695.00 no expenses
Colm O'Dwyer €7,695.00 no expenses
Ray Murphy No fees €294.38
Sinead Gibney No fees €773.20
Total €92,340.00 €4,416.94
Commission Member Fees Expenses
Colm O Dwyer €7,695.00 no expenses
Tony Geoghegan €7,695.00 no expenses
Salome Mbugua €7,695.00 no expenses
Heydi Foster Breslin €7,695.00 no expenses
Adam Harris €7,695.00 no expenses
Jim Clarken €7,695.00 no expenses
Prof Kathleen Lynch €7,695.00 no expenses
Dr Lucy Michael €7,695.00 no expenses
Michael Finucane €7,695.00 no expenses
Dr Rosaleen McDonagh €7,695.00 no expenses
Sunniva McDonagh €7,695.00 no expenses
Caroline Fennell €1,924.00 no expenses
Sinead Gibney No fees no expenses
Total €86,569.00 no expenses
Procurement
Procurement Policies
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission promotes best practice and consistency of application of public procurement rules in relation to its purchase of goods and services.
All procurement within the Commission must be carried out in compliance with all relevant procurement legislation.
Where possible, the Commission uses public procurement frameworks provided by the Office of Government Procurement at ogp.gov.ie .
Current Tenders
Details of the Commission’s current tenders can be found at www.eTenders.gov.ie which is the central facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act came into effect on 14 October 2014, granting members of the public the following statutory rights:
- the right to access records held by all public bodies covered by the Act;
- the right to have personal information in a record amended where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading;
- the right to receive reasons for decisions taken by public bodies affecting the person.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an FOI body under the FOI Act 2014.
The FOI Act distinguishes between personal and non-personal information. Personal information can be accessed regardless of when it was created if it is still in existence. Non-personal information can only be accessed if it has been created after 21 April 1998 (commencement date of the FOI Act).
The Commission is required to publish Disclosure Logs for all non-personal Freedom of Information requests. Disclosure Logs can be viewed below:
Making an FOI Request
FOI requests can be submitted to foi@ihrec.ie or by post to this address:
FOI Officer,
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
16-22 Green St,
Dublin 7.
Please note that this email address is only for FOI requests. If you have any other queries, please email info@ihrec.ie.