Summary
The current Department of Health’s (DoH) Equality Scheme was published in 2022. One of the key commitments in our Equality Scheme 2022 is to carry out an Audit of Inequalities and develop a Section 75 Equality Action Plan. This consultation seeks your views on the Audit of Inequalities and draft 5 year Equality Action Plan and Disability Action Plan each covering the period 2025 to 2030.
Documents
- Consultation Response Report EAP DAP 24/25
- Annex A - DoH Audit of Inequalities 2025-2030
- Annex B - Draft Equality Action Plan 2025-2030
- Annex C - Draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2030
- Annex D - Consultation Document And Response Form
- Draft Equality Action Plan Easy Read
- Draft Disability Action Plan Easy Read
Consultation description
Equality Plan
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations across the Section 75 categories.
The draft Equality Action Plan sets out the actions the Department proposes to take to address inequality issues identified from the Audit of Inequalities. The Audit of Inequalities gathers and analyses information across the Section 75 categories to identify the inequalities that exist for service users and those affected by the Department’s policies.
Disability Action Plan
Under Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended, public authorities are required, when carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and encourage participation by disabled people in public life. In addition, under Section 49B of the Act public authorities are required to produce a Disability Action Plan (DAP) showing how they propose to fulfil these specific duties.
The Department would welcome your comments on the proposed outcomes and action measures in the Equality Action Plan and the draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2030 or views on other ways in which the commitment to these duties could be better demonstrated.
This consultation has been launched using Citizen Space. Citizen Space is the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) recommended online Consultation tool and preferred surveying tool.
You can also request a copy to be posted to you if you email or write to the Equality and Human Rights Unit. This document is also available in alternative formats on request. Please contact the Department, at the address below or email, to make your request.
The consultation will close on 28 June 2025. Responses received after this date will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and with prior agreement from the Department.
Following this consultation, the Department will produce an analysis of the responses and the report will be published on the Department’s website.
We welcome your feedback on these draft plans.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.