Legislative Measures

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Questions (652)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

652. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her Department’s efforts to enshrine discrimination on the basis of socio-economic status as a non-discrimination ground, as outlined in the general scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if both the assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and the enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground have been undertaken and concluded; if not, when both of these analyses will be completed; if she plans to publish both assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52690/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation.

At the same time, approval was granted, in principle, for the introduction of a new equality ground of socio-economic disadvantage in Ireland’s equality legislation, subject to the completion of an assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and of the Enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground.

Detailed work has been undertaken on assessing these and other impacts, including through consultation with relevant stakeholders, and drawing on

• academic studies from Ireland and abroad,

• submissions relating to this topic received as part of the Review of the Equality Acts,

• recent Private Member’s Bills, and

• the legislation of other jurisdictions, and rulings made in these jurisdictions on equality cases.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025. Officials are considering the recommendations of this report before finalising this work.