Dr. Angela Kerins, Chairperson, and members of the Board of the Equality Authority, will hold their first Board meeting at Birchgrove House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary on Tuesday 16th June, 2009 . This will be followed by a reception for clients and stakeholders of the Equality Authority at 2.30 p.m.

The reception will mark the inaugural meeting of the Board at the new offices of the Equality Authority at Birchgrove House. It will provide an opportunity to meet Members of the Board and the newly appointed CEO of the Equality Authority, Renee Dempsey.

Staff started working at the new offices in March 2007 and the work of the office has developed apace since that time. The Public Information Centre of the Equality Authority, which deals with public enquiries on equality and family leave legislation, is now based at the Roscrea office. Other areas of work now covered by the Roscrea office include those of administration, legal, development and communications. These functions are shared with colleagues in the Dublin office which also holds the research function. The Roscrea office now has an established regional presence across the Midland, Southern and Western areas of the country and encompasses the key rural, community and voluntary sectors.

The work of the Roscrea office reflects the spirit of the new strategic plan of the Equality Authority for the period 2009-2011, entitled “Equality for All in a Time of Change”. This was launched by Dr. Kerins in March and is available on www.equality.ie

Dr. Angela Kerins welcomed the work of the Roscrea office as “a second equality hub” through which the Equality Authority would continue to deliver it mandate. She added that the Roscrea office “reaffirms that our doors are open and extends our invitation to all who wish to work with us in the pursuit of the goals of the equality legislation”. Dr. Kerins warmly welcomed Renee Dempsey who was recently appointed CEO of the Authority to her first formal meeting with the Board in Roscrea. “The deepening role of the Roscrea office and the appointment of a new CEO reflect the renewed determination of the Equality Authority to contribute to a more inclusive Ireland” she added.

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