Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1901. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the proposal 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; the next steps her Department is taking on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74366/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1952. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when her Department will complete its assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer, and an enhanced SME test, of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1901 and 1952 together.
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 already 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 in my Department are considering the recommendations of the report, including those relating to the introduction of a socio-economic disadvantage ground, before finalising this work.
