AQW 50181/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 01/07/2026
Answered On Date: 15/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any steps being taken to address weaknesses in equality legislation, as identified in the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report entitled, Disability and poverty in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

There are extensive legal protections in place in respect of equality in this jurisdiction. The Executive Office (TEO) continues to engage with departments and stakeholders, including the Equality Commission for NI, on issues relating to improving equality and human rights protections here.

The Committee for the Executive Office continues to examine gaps in equality legislation, and TEO officials are currently awaiting the findings of the Committee’s Inquiry into Gaps in Equality Legislation.