I propose to take Questions Nos. 900 to 905, inclusive, together.
The Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (IHREC) is an independent statutory body, established on 1 November 2014 by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 (‘the Act’). It is both Ireland’s National Human Rights Institution and National Equality Body.
S9(3) of the Act requires IHREC to “be guided by the best international practice applicable to National Human Rights Institutions and to equality bodies”. Accordingly, IHREC adheres to the Paris Principles, endorsed by the United Nations, that set out the minimum standards that National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) must meet in regard to their status, independence and effectiveness. IHREC is an A-rated NHRI in this regard.
The Paris Principles require NHRIs to be independent from Government, and this is reflected in s9(2) of the Act that requires IHREC to “be independent in the performance of its functions”. The functions are set out in s10 of the Act and include at s10(1):
(a) to protect and promote human rights and equality;
(b) to encourage the development of a culture of respect for human rights, equality, and intercultural understanding in the State;
(c) to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights and equality in the State;
(d) to encourage good practice in intercultural relations, to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State and respect for the freedom and dignity of each person; and
(e) to work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct.
My engagement with IHREC is in accordance with the Act and does not extend to engagement in its Strategic Priorities. As provided for in the Act, it is for IHREC Commissioners alone, acting collectively and independently, to set IHREC’s areas of strategic focus, policy and activity and to direct the Executive in its work. Commissioners are appointed by the President, on recommendation from both Houses of the Oireachtas, and following a Public Appointment Service recruitment campaign.
IHREC is accountable to the Oireachtas and accordingly its most recent www.ihrec.ie/about/strategy-statement-2025-2027 and its www.ihrec.ie/publications/annual-report-2024have been laid before the Oireachtas and both are available on IHREC’s website.
This Department and IHREC have a governance agreement in place in line with the requirements of the revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (‘Code of Practice), which reflects the independence of IHREC. Under this agreement IHREC’s Director meets quarterly with the Department in relation to corporate governance issues including compliance with the code of practice for state bodies, staffing plans and reviews and annual budget plans. In fulfilment of specific mandates, IHREC also meets with the policy officials relating to those specific areas.
IHREC is funded through a Vote of the Oireachtas (Vote 25) and the Director of IHREC is the Accounting Officer for its Vote. As the responsible Minister in relation to IHREC, I am responsible for securing IHREC's budget and, as a member of Government acting collectively, for seeking Dáil approval for the relevant Estimates and appropriations. There are also certain European and international standards applicable to the sufficiency of funding for IHREC that derive from both UN Accreditation and Paris Principles requirements, and the EU Directive on Standards for Equality Bodies.
The total Exchequer funding allocated to IHREC in each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive is set out in the following table.
Total Exchequer Funding Allocated to IHREC (2020 - 2025)
|
Year
|
Total Exchequer Funding (€'000)
|
Basis of Figures
|
Source of Figures
|
|
2020
|
6,084
|
Outturn
|
Appropriation Accounts
|
|
2021
|
6,741
|
Outturn
|
Appropriation Accounts
|
|
2022
|
7,509
|
Outturn
|
Appropriation Accounts
|
|
2023
|
8,268
|
Outturn
|
Appropriation Accounts
|
|
2024
|
8,736
|
Outturn
|
Appropriation Accounts
|
|
2025
|
9,709
|
Revised Estimates
|
Revised Estimates
|
IHREC allocates its resources across its core areas of activity in accordance with its statutory remit and approved work programmes. IHREC prepares its accounts in accordance with Government Accounting Guidelines and applicable public sector financial reporting requirements. In the Management Accounts and Appropriation Accounts, expenditure is recorded by Vote subhead (as advised by Government Accounting), and subject to both Internal Audit and Comptroller and Auditor General Audits. These subheads do not directly align with the categories specified in the Parliamentary Question, therefore expenditure has been mapped accordingly for reporting purposes in so far as possible. For the years 2020 to 2023, comparable information has been prepared using available audited Appropriation Account data, having regard to changes in Vote administrative subhead structures over the period.
|
Expenditure Category
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
2025
|
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
€'000
|
|
Staffing
|
2,944
|
3,642
|
4,474
|
4,958
|
5,529
|
5,611
|
|
Legal Work
|
431
|
536
|
568
|
815
|
724
|
777
|
|
Research
|
250
|
94
|
192
|
153
|
194
|
253
|
|
Grants
|
580
|
328
|
327
|
418
|
348
|
350
|
|
Communications
|
54
|
579
|
464
|
269
|
194
|
72
|
