Non-discrimination

Participants mentioned that legislation on anti-discrimination needed to be updated and emphasised that, although the government had sent promising signs in this regard, there was a need for timely implementation and proper resourcing. Cross-cutting issues include the need for early intervention to avoid exclusion of vulnerable groups and inclusion with regard to education, housing, access to social services and employment. Social partners and CSOs had a key role in promoting anti-discrimination at work, and also in society more broadly. Many participants called for increased and disaggregated data to better inform policy. Participants found it regrettable that vulnerable groups were not mentioned in Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021, as they had been particularly hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic had disproportionately affected Roma and Travellers and exposed the difficulties that these communities have in accessing health services and adequate housing. Participants welcomed the recognition of Irish Travellers as an ethnic group, the legislative developments in relation to hate crime and hate speech, and the proposed Nation Action Plan Against Racism. However, discrimination remained relatively high in the country, and the participants emphasised the need to translate policy into tangible action. They highlighted a need for a national educational strategy for Travellers including targets and timelines to counter early school leaving and reduced hours. 

Participants noted that there had been significant progress in LGBTIQ rights lately, particularly with the introduction of marriage equality. However, hate crime legislation and education on relationships and sexuality needed updating. Online hate remained prevalent and 70% of LGBTIQ young people felt unsafe at school. A clear and immediate ban on conversion therapy was needed, as was progress on gender recognition for under-18s and non-binary people. Difficulties in accessing mental health services before the age of 18, without parental consent, remained a problem. Furthermore, a participant expressed concern about the EU-wide situation for LGBTIQ rights, and called on the EU to protect them.

The publication of a White Paper on direct provision (the system for accommodation of asylum seekers) was welcomed. The White Paper expressed the intention to establish an independent inspection regime in the welcoming centres. Another positive aspect was the government's announcement that the situation of undocumented migrant children would be regularised. A referendum in 2004 removed the right of children born in Ireland to foreign parents to get Irish citizenship at birth. This meant that these children were not registered and no longer have the right to benefits. The inability for undocumented workers to access employment tribunals was also an issue. 

Child poverty disproportionally impacted single-parent families, Roma and Travellers, households with persons with disabilities etc. COVID-19 had exacerbated existing forms of poverty, and in particular food poverty. Participants welcomed the government's announcement of a revision of the equal status policy aiming at recognising socioeconomic status as a potential ground for discrimination. The use of reduced timetables in schools was also referred to as an element of concern, as it generally disproportionally impacted certain groups of children, affecting their well-being and mental health. 

Ireland had ratified the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention for the elimination of violence against women. However, the services provided to victims of domestic and sexual violence, including online violence and abuse, were limited, in particular in light of the numbers of reported cases. Court system reforms were needed to avoid secondary victimisation.

Experiences of poverty and exclusion from education, transport, employment, housing were still common among persons with disabilities. Social cohesion was key to avoid exclusion, as was the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The establishment of a Parliamentary Committee on Disability Matters in 2020 was applauded. Participants felt that early intervention should be promoted because it was crucial in inhibiting further debilitation. Unfortunately, Ireland still placed people in institutions, regardless of the calls to deinstitutionalise.

Older people experienced many of the same challenges mentioned above and suffered from cumulative disadvantages. Stereotypes on ageing were described as a significant challenge to equality, as was a lack of data on the diversity of older peoples' situations. A digital inclusion strategy was needed, particularly in the context of the pandemic, where lack of skills prevented access to the public debate.

Homelessness was said to lead to increased discrimination and marginalisation. Most homeless persons were already in a situation of marginalisation before they experienced homelessness. A good protection system was in place, but it was overly complex and bureaucratic and required significant documentation, which could pose challenges to homeless people who were not able to provide documents. It also presented challenges in terms of access to education and services. 

Participants called for better support for people to help them defend their rights in the area of anti-discrimination, including through effective reparation. They also called for a more explicit statutory duty for public bodies to consider anti-discrimination when performing their jobs. Participants considered that the EU should strengthen the impact of equality bodies, with the support of the EESC.