Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
Equality is ensuring individuals and/or groups of individuals are not treated less favourably than other individuals and/or groups of individuals based on various equality grounds (e.g., race/ethnicity). Equality seeks to promote fairness including but not limited to accessing employment/ a programme of study, training, development and/or career opportunities.
Diversity means more than just acknowledging and/or tolerating difference. It involves understanding, appreciating and embracing differences and practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from the majority.
Inclusion is a sense of belonging; feeling respected and valued; feeling a level of support and commitment from others so that one can achieve their best at work and study.
In Ireland, the legislative and policy framework governing equality, diversity and inclusion in the work environment and public service includes:
- The Migrant Integration Strategy 2017-2020
- The National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021
- The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020
- The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028
- The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020
- The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021
- Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy: Building on Our Strengths
- Better Public Services (2023): A transformation strategy
The Employment Status Acts and the Equal Status Acts ban discrimination on the following grounds:
- Gender
- Civil status
- Family status
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion
- Age
- Disability
- Race
- Membership of the Traveller Community
Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 places a statutory obligation on all public bodies to put measures in place to:
- eliminate discrimination,
- promote equality of opportunity and treatment for staff and persons to whom it provides services,
- and protect the human rights of staff and service users.
The Public Sector Duty applies to all members of the public, people who use public services, and public bodies’ staff. The Act requires a public body, having regard to its functions, purpose, size and resources available to it, to:
- set out in its strategic plan an assessment of the human rights and equality issues it believes to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body;
- set out in its strategic plan the policies, plans and actions in place or proposed to be put in place to address those issues;
- report on developments and achievements in its annual report.