In Issue 25 of the INOU’s e-bulletin we wrote an article titled ERA report on socio-economic status as a discrimination ground. Issue 25 was published in November 2016. In Issue 31 we wrote another article titled Socio-Economic Status: a serious gap in Ireland’s equality legislation. Issue 31 was published in February 2018. In July 2021 we are still wating for this gap to be filled, for this new ground to be added to Ireland’s equality legislation.
In the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, under the theme of ‘Equality’ the Government state that “Equality between all citizens is a core guiding principle of our republic.” There are many people in Ireland who would lament the gap between ambition and reality, as this does not tally with their own lives and experiences. ATD Ireland’s 2019 report “Does It Only Happen to Me? Living in the shadows of Socio-Economic Discrimination” captures very powerfully the impact of this discrimination on people’s identity, health and well-being. Further information is available here.
In the Programme for Government they say “We will examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination based on socio-economic disadvantaged status to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts.” It is absolutely essential that the Government move beyond examination to action, and over the coming period incorporate this ground into Ireland’s equality legislation.
The ‘ERA’ in the title of the Issue 25 article refers to the Equality and Rights Alliance which no longer exists. However, a number of groups, including the INOU and ATD Ireland, have continued to meet on the issue of socio-economic discrimination and how it should be addressed, and recently took on the name #addthe10thalliance.
Earlier in the summer, the Alliance met with Minister Roger O’Gorman, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. At the meeting the Minister noted that the Department would be reviewing the equality legislation. On July 6th the Minister launched a consultation process “seeking the public’s views on a review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015). The consultation will be open from 6 July 2021 to 29 October 2021.”
In the information describing the purpose of the consultation it notes “The Programme for Government commitments on the introduction of a socio-economic ground for discrimination and the amendment of the gender ground will be considered as part of the review.
The review will examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. It will also include a review of current definitions, including in relation to disability.”
If you are interested in participating in the consultation, further information is available here.