Equality Commission Annual Report 2006-2007 

28/11/2007

The Eighth Annual Report of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, covering the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007, has been laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly.  

“This Report records the Equality Commission’s achievements in another busy and productive year,” Evelyn Collins, Chief Executive of the Equality Commission said.

 

“Much effort during the year was given to the review of the effectiveness of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which forms such a significant part of the responsibilities of the Commission. The implementation of the recommendations of this review will make an important contribution to realising the full effect of this far-reaching equality legislation. In addition, following the introduction of new legislation dealing with age and sexual orientation, the Commission has been working on promoting awareness of these equality areas and developing guidance on them, as well as publicising new positive duties on public authorities regarding disabled people.”

 

“The Commission sets itself challenging targets and 92% of these were met or partly met during the year just past. The Commission launched a new enquiry line during the year (telephone number 028 90890890). In addition we launched a new website in January 2007 which, in its first two months, recorded 1.3 million hits and recorded 1167 visitor sessions per day. The Commission undertook more than 200 training and awareness raising events in the year 2006–07.”

 

“The Commission also provides free advice to everyone who contacts us with potential complaints under equality legislation, and gave such advice to 3,298 people in the past year. As a result of settlements and tribunal and court hearings, a total of £417,100 was paid to people who brought cases, with the assistance of the Commission, alleging they had suffered discrimination. “

 

“The ongoing focus of our work is to play our part in developing Northern Ireland as a shared, integrated and inclusive society, based on equality, fairness and mutual respect. The return to a devolved administration provides a new context in which we can make progress towards this goal.  “Ms. Collins said.

 

The Equality Commission’s Eighth Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2007 can be accessed on the Commission’s website at http://www.equalityni.org/archive/pdf/AnnualReport0607(F).pdf

 

Issued 28 November 2007