Equality Scheme

What is an Equality Scheme and why do we need one?

Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that all public authorities who are designated under the Act must set out in an Equality Scheme how they propose to fulfill the duties imposed by Section 75 of the Act. These schemes are approved by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

An equality scheme outlines the public authority’s arrangements for:

• assessing its compliance with the duties under Section 75;
• assessing and consulting on the likely impact of policies on the promotion of equality of opportunity;
• monitoring any adverse impact of policies on the promotion of equality of opportunity;
• publishing the results of such assessments;
• training staff; and
• ensuring and assessing public access to information and services provided by the public authority.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission has produced a draft Equality Scheme and wishes to consult with interested organisations. The Scheme documents, outlining the process for the consultation can be accessed through the links below.

All comments should be forwarded to:
Kevin Kerr
Office of the Assembly Commission
Room 54
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
BT4 3XX

e-mail: equality@niassembly.gov.uk
Tel: 028 90418388 or 028 90418378
Textphone: 028 90521209
Fax: 028 90418340

Draft Equality Scheme Cover Letter
Draft Equality Scheme Executive Summary
Draft Equality Scheme
Reply Slip

The documentation can be made available in alternative formats on request.