AQW 21240/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 23/01/2025
Answered On Date: 09/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work their Department is currently undertaking to prepare for the extension of age as a category in law concerning discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

Answer:

No one in our society should be discriminated against because of their age. Advice on this issue is currently under review.

Junior Ministers met with Claire Sugden MLA to discuss her proposed Age Goods, Facilities and Services Bill and the challenges in bringing forward legislation on this issue.

Development of any age discrimination laws will require careful consideration and work to inform their scope, as well as required exemptions.