The Equality Authority has communicated to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform that it is of the strong view that the Equality Authority should remain as an independent and distinct statutory agency. The Equality Authority was responding to a proposal from the Department of Finance that the Equality Authority be merged with the Equality Tribunal, the National Disability Authority, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Data Protection Commissioner. In responding to the proposal, the Equality Authority welcomed the consultative process that the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform undertook with its agencies.
“The Equality Authority, in its current form, is both effective and efficient as evidenced by recent external reviews. It is vital that the work of the Equality Authority in promoting equality and non discrimination is not diluted and that there is no loss of service to the public. Indeed at all recent regional public meetings, held as part of the development of a new strategic plan for the Equality Authority, members of the public, small and large businesses, trade unions and community groups told us that they want even greater access to the services of the Equality Authority” said Angela Kerins, Chairperson of the Equality Authority .
“The Equality Authority has a clear obligation under law to combat discrimination and to promote equality in our society. This obligation is valuable to the ordinary person, to employers and to service providers. The Equality Authority gives clear guidance on best practice and compliance, information and support and provides valuable assistance in legal claims. This essential service should not be in anyway diluted, but there is a very real risk that this could happen in an agency with a broader and more diverse role”.
It is the belief of the Equality Authority that there are genuine incompatibilities in the functions of the different bodies which have been suggested for merging. This could cause significant difficulties, and there is a real danger that a change of this nature might not allow the Equality Authority to fulfil its core functions of promoting and protecting statutorily based rights.
The Equality Authority is not aware of any evidence to suggest that there would be significant cost savings from a merger as there is no overlap in the current functions of the agencies. The Department of Justice,Equality and Law Reform uniquely, has a shared services back office already in place which the Equality Authority uses. The Equality Authority is committed to examining any further use of this back office or other shared services to achieve the objectives of the Department of Finance..
The Equality Authority appreciates the current economic difficulties facing the Government and is committed to playing its part by ensuring value for money and the delivery of cost efficient services.
“The role of the Equality Authority is hugely important to society as it champions equality and non discrimination for all. This role has never been more important than it is now as vulnerable groups are most at risk in any economic downturn. This role is best performed by a distinct, focused and expert agency,” concluded Angela Kerins
ENDS