Equality Authority Launches Annual Report 2010
The Equality Authority launched its Annual Report 2010 which demonstrated a meeting of targets set out in its Strategic Plan 2009-2011. The combined information queries target of 8000 enquiries from the public was surpassed by 345, but significantly there was a substantial increase in enquiries under the equality legislation. The Equality Authority provides information on equality legislation and a range of family leaves (Maternity, Parental and Adoptive). The Family leave 'cluster' previously made up between 54% and 58% of their enquiry base, but in 2010, Equality enquiries reached in excess of 59% of the total enquiry base, despite fewer people being protected by employment equality legislation due to the increase in unemployment.
The Equality Authority provides a free legal advice and representation service to individuals in cases of strategic importance. 116 new casefiles were opened in 2010 primarily in the employment area. Disability and Gender were the key areas of legal assistance followed by Age and Race consistent with previous years. A further 200 casefiles reached a conclusion and were closed in 2010.
Key elements of policy initiatives noted in the 2010 Annual Report include the passing of the Civil Partnership Act, the Authority's submission on legal aspects of family relationships to the Law Reform Commission and to the Committee on gender recognition for transgendered people, and their initiatives on the Race and Age grounds.
Full report is available at www.equality.ie
Please contact us further information on 01 – 6127092 / info@adarehrm.ie