Public Sector Human Rights and Equality Duty

Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 requires a public body, in the performance of its functions, to have regard to the need to:

1. eliminate discrimination;
2. promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services; and
3. protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services

Public bodies shall also set out in a manner that is accessible to the public in its strategic plan an assessment of the human rights and equality issues it believes to be relevant to its functions and purpose and the existing or proposed policies, plans and actions to address those issues.

Public bodies shall also report annually on developments and achievements in that regard in its annual report in a manner that is accessible to the public.

• Link to Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

Due to the diversity of functions provided by Dublin City Council and the complexity of our structures, we have decided to prepare a high level framework strategy for implementation of our Public Sector Duty which is referenced in our Corporate Plan 2020-2024. This document details the values on which our strategy is based and sets out our high level goals, objectives and actions under the following headings:

1. Services
2. Employees
3. Projects, Procurement, Grants, Outsourcing and Service Level Agreements
4. Plans and Programmes
5. Implementation and Oversight

We have engaged an Equality Consultant to work with specific Departments and Divisions to develop targeted Action Plans guided by the strategic framework. This approach will help ensure more meaningful and effective outcomes.

We are committed to appropriate internal and external consultation and participation to ensure our members, staff and those who use our services have a voice in shaping our Public Sector Duty Action Plans. We will strive to ensure that the voices of those who may be at risk of discrimination and/or social exclusion are heard in so far as is reasonably practicable.

You can contact Dublin City Council’s Equality Office at

Equality Office,
Human Resources Department,
Dublin City Council,
Civic Offices,
Wood Quay,
Dublin 8

Tel:      (01) 222 3136

Email:  [email protected]