Consultation on the Draft Equality Scheme

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations across a range of categories outlined in the Act. In 2011, the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) produced its current Equality Scheme. This document is based on the format and content of the ‘model scheme’ provided by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The Equality Scheme details how the Department will fulfil its statutory obligations under the Act. The Scheme is accompanied by a Section 75 Action Plan and a Disability Action Plan, which set out the steps that the Department is taking to address any issues around equality, diversity and disability. These plans were developed following a Departmental Audit of Inequalities and each plan is reviewed annually, with updates sent to the Equality Commission and to equality consultees.