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.”
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.
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.
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.
2023/24
- Equality Screening Report: Quarter 1 – Nil return
- Equality Screening Report: Quarter 2 – 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