Equality Issues
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-07
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Jerry Buttimer (FG), Cork South-Central

I thank Senator Andrews for raising this important matter. The Minister would like to thank him for raising the matter in the Seanad.
I fully subscribe to his point that there is no place for discrimination in any shape or form in our society, in particular on the basis of disadvantage or socio-economic status. That should be unacceptable in our country today. However, it is fully recognised that despite the great progress we have made on many social issues, people in Ireland can often, as the Senator outlined, face barriers on the basis of their background. That is wrong. The Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Act prohibit discrimination on specific grounds. Under these Acts, discrimination occurs where one person is treated less favourably than another in a comparable situation because they differ under any of the following grounds: age; civil status; disability; family status; gender; housing; assistance payment; membership of the Travelling community; race; religion; and sexual orientation.
The previous programme for Government included a commitment to introduce a new ground of socio-economic discrimination in equality legislation. In November 2024, the Government approved in principle the introduction of such a ground as part of the wider reform of the Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Act. The planned reforms included in the general scheme and heads of the Bill of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill aim to improve the effectiveness of the Acts in combating discrimination and promoting equality for all. The general scheme underwent pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Equality last year. The recommendations of the committee, including those related to the introduction of this new ground, are now being examined by departmental officials and the drafting of the Bill is under way.
The approval in principle of the introduction of a new equality ground is subject to the completion of an assessment of the potential cost to the Exchequer and an enhanced SME test to examine the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground. Officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are working to carry out these assessments while work continues on the rest of the Bill. It is important to outline to the House that this issue is examined thoroughly and the potential costs and proposed wording are carefully considered to ensure there are no unintended consequences.
A significant challenge in introducing a new protected ground in Ireland's equality legislation is ensuring that it can be understood by everyone. The public and businesses small and large need to be clear on what the ground is and what it covers. Past attempts to legislate in this area have been held back by difficulties in defining terms such as "socio-economic status" or "disadvantaged socio-economic status" with the degree of clarity and lack of ambiguity necessary for the Statute Book.
It is vital that the definition of a new ground can be legally robust and well-understood by service providers and employers. Extensive work has been carried out by officials in the Department to scope, deliver and develop policy on what a new equality ground should encompass. This ongoing work is intended to ensure that a proposal can be brought forward that gives everyone clarity as to their rights and obligations under the laws. The intention is that a memorandum would be brought to Government setting out the outcome of the test and the recommendations of the pre-legislative scrutiny process and putting forward options regarding the possible introduction of an equality ground based on socio-economic status.
I share the view of Deputy Andrews. It is important that we give people clarity and certainty and end discrimination, because it does exist in some cases. I know people who feel like that. I fully agree with the remarks of the Senator.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:54+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-07