Equality Scheme
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 it proposes to fulfil the duties imposed by Section 75 of the Act.
What is an Equality Scheme and why do we need one?
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;
- ensuring and assessing public access to information and services provided by the public authority.
Each government department is designated as a public authority under Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and has its own approved equality scheme.
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister along with all other public bodies in Northern Ireland, were requested by the Northern Ireland Equality Commission to develop new Equality Schemes in line with their revised guidance on Section 75.
OFMDFM is therefore consulting on its new Equality Scheme as required under Schedule 2 to the NI Act 1998. The consultation will run from 23 September 2011 to 16 December 2011. Copies of the consultation document can be downloaded from the weblink below.
Hard copies of the document can also be obtained by contacting the Policy Secretariat on 028 9052 3423 or 028 9052 3194 or by email policysec@ofmdfmni.gov.uk.
Comments on this document should be sent to:
Freepost NAT17679
Equality Director, OFMDFM,
E3.19 Castle Buildings,
Stormont,
Belfast BT4 3SR
Equality Director, OFMDFM,
E3.19 Castle Buildings,
Stormont,
Belfast BT4 3SR
by email to: policysec@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
by fax: 028 9052 3272
by fax: 028 9052 3272
Closing date for receipt of comments is: 16 December 2011 by 5.00 pm.
OFMDFM's Equality Scheme
The department has a list of Section 75 Consultees. This list is updated annually and on request by the individuals or groups concerned. If you would like to be added to or removed from our consultation list please contact Dale Heaney at the details below.
OFMDFM's Equality Scheme was approved by the Equality Commission on 15 March 2001.
- Access the OFMDFM Equality Scheme (PDF 622KB)
