The National Equality Data Strategy

The National Equality Data Strategy is a framework to support the collection and use of equality data across Government. It sets out a plan to develop standardisation, guidance, and capacity-building to support this process over the period of 2026-2031.

Equality data is “any piece of information that is useful for the purposes of describing and analysing the state of equality”.

The overall goal of this Strategy is to “improve the collection, disaggregation and use of equality data in the Civil and Public Service in Ireland”.

This data is important for:

• the design and delivery of inclusive policies and services,
• enabling policy-makers and the public to assess the scale and nature of discrimination suffered by vulnerable and marginalised groups, and
• analysing where needs are most acute and what impact interventions are having.

The Strategy has four strands:

1. Collection of Equality Data

The purpose of collecting equality data is to have data available to support the development of:

• policy grounded in an understanding of the equality needs of the population; and
• services which take account of the equality factors which can influence use, access and outcomes.

Equality data gaps should be identified and addressed.

Data should be reused wherever possible through the principle of ‘collect once, use often’.

2. Standards and Classifications for Equality Data

Every statistical system needs standard concepts, definitions, and classifications so it can collect, process, and make sense of data.

The harmonisation of standards so that these match means data can be more accurately used and compared across services.

3. Use of Equality Data

Equality data will be used to make policies supported by evidence and to analyse the uptake of services.

It will play an important role in assisting public bodies to fulfil their obligations under the Public Sector Duty.

An Equality Data Hub will be established. This will spread equality data that is linked and shared in a meaningful way, for a broad range of users.

4. Monitoring and Oversight of the Strategy

The Central Statistics Office and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality will co-chair a Steering group to monitor the progress of the Strategy.

Contact: equalitypolicy@dcde.gov.ie