Equality Scheme

What is an Equality Scheme and why do we need one?

These schemes are approved by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

An equality scheme outlines the public authority’s arrangements for:

• assessing its compliance with the duties under Section 75
• assessing and consulting on the likely impact of policies on the promotion of equality of opportunity
• monitoring any adverse impact of policies on the promotion of equality of opportunity
• publishing the results of such assessments
• training staff
• ensuring and assessing public access to information and services provided by the public authority

Each government department is designated as a public authority under Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and has its own approved equality scheme.

The Executive Office's Equality Scheme

Schedule 9 (para 8.3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires all public authorities to review their equality scheme after five years.

The Executive Office recently updated the department’s scheme further to its obligations under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”

• Access The Executive Office Equality Scheme

Annual Report to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

All public authorities are required to report annually to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland on the progress made towards implementing their statutory duties.

• Access The Executive Office Annual Report to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

The Executive Office Disability Action Plan

The Department remains committed to the fulfilment of the two disability duties, as set out in Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, across the Department’s functions.

• Access The Executive Office Disability Action Plan 2021-26

Policies screened and EQIAs

In fulfilling its obligations under Section 75 the Department is required to equality screen all of its policies and services under consideration to determine whether they should be subject to a full equality impact assessment (EQIA).

The Department is also committed to publishing a Screening Report containing details of all Policies screened in the quarter.

2024/25

• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 1 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 2 –
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 3 –

Policy	Policy Aim	Brief Description and link.	Screening Outcome (including any mitigation or alternative policies)
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund.	To launch and support delivery and impact of a community focused Change Fund to equip community groups to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls; and resource and mobilise regional community and voluntary sector (CVS) to drive society wide action so that everyone understands what VAWG is and knows how to prevent it.	The Change Fund is a fundamental part of delivering the co-designed Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and focuses on prevention, with the following Outcomes Changed attitudes, behaviors and culture; Healthy, respectful relationships; Women and girls feel and are safe everywhere.   Weblink currently being arranged.	Screened out
Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022	The Period Products (free Provision) Act NI 2022 was brought forward as a Private Members Bill which gained Royal Assent in May 2022. Period Products (Free Provision) Act aims to: ensure that period products are available free of charge, on a universal basis, in appropriate locations. (Section 1) provide that each Department (by 11 May 2023) specify by Regulations ‘Public Service Bodies,’ which must ensure that period products are obtainable, free of charge, for use whilst on their premises. (Section 2)	Section 75 Screening - Period Products (Free Provision) Act (NI) 2022	Nov 2024 - This update to the originally published screening was completed in response to an ECNI request to improve the sections on Mitigation and Monitoring. As the policy is now operational more information was available to fully complete these sections.
The draft Impact Assessments for the draft Programme for Government 2024-2027	The draft Programme for Government aims to have wide reaching effects. It has the potential to impact on equality of opportunity and good relations, and upon people living in rural areas, and upon children and young people.	Equality Impact assessment – Programme for Government	This is a full impact assessment

 

Policy	Policy Aim	Brief Description and link.	Screening Outcome (including any mitigation or alternative policies)
Public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses; and an associated redress scheme	To address historical disadvantages suffered by women and girls in Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.	The policy underpins the draft legislation which will establish a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses; and an associated redress scheme. Truth Recovery Rredress Equality Screening	Potential major impact on sex. EQIA also conducted and published
Reviewing the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997, as one of the main actions of the Racial Equality Strategy 2015-2025.	To update the Order or replace it with a new bill (to be decided).	Although the Order has been updated on a number of occasions over the more than twenty years it has been in place, it no longer provides protection against racial discrimination for different racial groups in a way that matches our commitment to ensuring equality for minority ethnic people. The aim is to update the existing Order, the outcome of which will be that it carries at least, if not better, protection than equivalent GB or RoI legislation. Section 75 Equality Screening and Guidance Form	Screened out.
Proposals for allocating the Department’s budget allocation for 2024-2025.	To consider options for the 2024-25 budget allocation / reductions and, where possible, take action to mitigate against specific adverse impacts.	To facilitate the most efficient use of the Executive Office’s budget in line with the Department’s objectives whilst mitigating adverse impacts of budget allocations. Section 75 Equality Screening Form	Screened in and EQIA consultation conducted

Truth Recovery and Redress Screening Template

Review of the Race Relations NI Order 97 Screening Template

TEO Budget 2024/25 Screening Template

2023/24

• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 1 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report Quarter 2 –

Policy	Policy Aim	Brief Description	Screening Outcome (including any mitigation or alternative policies)
The decision not to specify schools under The Fair Employment (School Teachers) Act (NI) 2022	The (School Teachers Act (NI) 2022 removed the exception for teachers from the FETO Order 1998. This decision relates to the smooth implementation of the Act.	This decision relates to the fair employment monitoring requirements. The decision not to specify schools aims to allow FETO’s existing obligations that relate to registration apply to schools in the same way it applies to other employers.	Screened out

The decision not to specify schools under The Fair Employment (School Teachers) Act (NI) 2022 Screening Template.

• Equality Screening Report Quarter 3 –

Policy	Policy Aim	Brief Description	Screening Outcome (including any mitigation or alternative policies)
Victims and Survivors Strategy	The main aim of the strategy is to have a trauma informed society which addresses the needs of victims and survivors.	The new strategy will ensure the right trauma informed and victim centred services are in place to empower and support victims and survivors and contribute to building a shared and peaceful future. It will also set out the specific issues affecting victims and survivors which require particular focus.	Screened out.

Equality Screening- Victims and Survivors Strategy

• Equality Screening Report Quarter 4 – Nil Return

2022/23

• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 1 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 2 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 3
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 4

2021/22

• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 1 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 2 – Nil return
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 3
• Equality Screening Report: Quarter 4 – Nil return

Equality Screening Reports 2017/2021