AQO 1641/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/02/2025
Answered On Date: 24/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on any advice they have received from officials on their review of work that was previously undertaken to extend equality legislation to include age discrimination for the provision of goods and services.

Answer:

No one in our society should be discriminated against because of their age. TEO officials have recently submitted advice on this matter which is currently under review.

The 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.