National Action Plan Against Racism
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The National Action Plan Against Racism Press Release can be found here.
A high-level summary of the plan has been translated into a number of languages. These summary documents may be used by organisations as needed, to direct people affected by racism or working in the area of anti-racism towards the National Action Plan Against Racism.
A summary in additional languages can be found here
Messages from the Taoiseach, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, and the Chair of the Anti-Racism Committee have been translated into a number of languages. These messages appear as forewords in the National Action Plan Against Racism.
Forewords in additional languages can be found here.
A message from the EU Anti-Racism Coordinator, delivered via video at the launch of the National Action Plan Against Racism can be found below.
As part of the public consultation process to inform the contents of the National Action Plan Against Racism, a large number of written submissions were received. The submissions received from organisations will be included below, with personal details redacted for data protection reasons.
Since its appointment in June 2020, the Anti-Racism Committee met several times in plenary session. Minutes of the Committee’s plenary meetings are below. Personal details are redacted for data protection reasons.
The Ireland Against Racism Fund is an important element in supporting the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism.
This funding call is now open.
Applications can be made through the following links:
Scheme A link:
Scheme B link:
A guidance note on the fund can be found below.
Please see here Ireland Against Racism press release here.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is seeking expressions of interest to join an Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism to support the implementation of Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR). The NAPAR, which was accepted by the Government and approved for publication in March 2023, calls for the formation of an Advisory Group to assist a new Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism. The Special Rapporteur will be appointed through a separate process.
The Government recognises the importance of meaningful action to address racism and its impacts in Ireland. A whole-of-Government approach is required to achieve this, as racism is a cross-cutting issue that necessitates action by Government, public bodies, private bodies, communities and individuals.
An independent Anti-Racism Committee was appointed by then Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan, in June 2020, with a mandate to review current evidence and practice, strengthening the Government’s approach to combating individual and structural racism. This was a wholly independent committee, with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth providing a secretariat. Caroline Fennell, Professor Emerita of Law and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Commissioner, was appointed to chair the Committee. The Committee included representatives from the business, education, local government, academic and advocacy sectors. Significant public consultation was undertaken as part of this process, including written submissions, an online survey, and facilitated online workshops. Written submissions received as part of this consultation process are available to view at gov.ie/anti-racism.
The Anti-Racism Committee’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) was submitted to Government in March 2023 and launched on 21 March, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Ireland Against Racism Fund and a new Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism were announced on the same day as the plan.
It is hoped that the NAPAR will have a significant positive impact on all minority ethnic communities in Ireland. The plan, which is intended to be implemented over a five-year period, contains recommendations for priority actions under five headings:
1. Being Safe and Being Heard – supporting people who experience racism and protecting people from racist incidents and crimes
2. Being Equal – addressing ethnic inequalities
3. Being Seen and Taking Part – enabling minority participation
4. Being Counted – measuring the impacts of racism
5. Being Together – a shared journey to racial equality
As part of the NAPAR, the Anti-Racism Committee proposed structural arrangements for its implementation, monitoring and review. These include the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism to independently monitor and report on progress towards the objectives of the NAPAR. The Committee also proposed the formation of two groups with a tenure of five years for each one. An Interdepartmental Coordination Committee will comprise senior officials across government departments and agencies, working toward implementing the actions in the plan across Government. The NAPAR Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism will include individuals who have particular knowledge and expertise in matters relating to racial equality and racism. It is envisaged that the Advisory Group’s membership will be representative of the following areas:
1. Employees/unions
2. Employers
3. Sport & Cultural organisations
4. Professional bodies
5. NGOs
6. Youth/Students
The Minister of State for Integration will appoint the members of this Advisory Group, which collectively should have significant knowledge and expertise in matters related to racial equality and racism. Its membership will also include individuals with lived experience of racism. The Advisory Group will provide knowledge and expertise to the Special Rapporteur and advise and support the development and implementation of policies in this area. Meetings of the Advisory Group will be chaired by the Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism.
The NAPAR Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism will provide advice and feedback on the NAPAR, which will facilitate evidence-based implementation of the NAPAR’s recommendations. The work of the Advisory Group will be conducted in parallel with the work of the Interdepartmental Coordination Committee.
Meetings will involve detailed discussion of the areas in focus, including methods to address key challenges. A work programme will be developed each year for the lifetime of the plan, which will provide the focus of the work of the Advisory Group. The NAPAR Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism will provide sectoral expertise, with direct engagement between the two groups via a small number of members (including the Chair), who will participate in both groups. The Special Rapporteur will provide an annual progress report to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This report will also be made available to the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
• Advise the Special Rapporteur on the implementation of the NAPAR and its actions;
• Support the implementation of the NAPAR across professional bodies, employer and employee representative bodies, the community and voluntary sector, and wider society;
• Ensure that specific knowledge and perspectives from members’ respective areas of expertise inform the work of the Special Rapporteur;
• Generate support for change among stakeholders and sectors;
• Provide an enabling forum in which to support NAPAR implementation and address challenges in a solution-focused manner;
• Ensure that the views and voices of Ireland’s ethnic minorities inform the work of the Advisory Group and the Special Rapporteur;
• Review current evidence and outcomes, including data gaps, that relate to the implementation of the NAPAR;
• Advisory Group members should endeavour to attend all scheduled meetings of the group. Members will be deemed to have resigned if two consecutive meetings are missed without adequate explanation;
• Agreement to any decision of the Advisory Group will be assumed in all cases where objections were not raised by the stated deadline.
DCEDIY is seeking expressions of interest for six membership seats on the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism. The Minister of State for Integration may also make a small number of direct appointments. The Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism will be appointed via a separate process.
Representation on the Advisory Group will, as far as possible, be balanced across public and private bodies to ensure that all sectors of society have a voice in the implementation of the policy framework.
In addition to candidates with specific experience in the spotlight areas, we are also interested in potential members with wider relevant experience. As issues relating to racism and racial equality rarely occur in isolation, applications would be welcomed from individuals and organisations whose experience includes intersectionality with other equality areas. Due consideration will be given to the diversity of the Advisory Group across the equality grounds.
Please note that a significant time commitment will be required of Advisory Group members. Members will be required to attend quarterly meetings, and may be required to engage in additional commitments from time to time. Additional time commitments will also be required in preparation for attendance at quarterly meetings, including critical analysis of documentation and travel to and from meetings (where they are held in person).
Members are eligible to have their Travel and Subsistence costs met (in accordance with agreed civil service rates) where meetings occur in person. It is important to note that the activity of the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism will occur during usual business hours. As such, members will need to give reasonable consideration to their availability to manage their role and responsibilities effectively.
If you are applying on behalf of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and are appointed to the committee, it will be as a representative of that NGO. NGOs are restricted to nominating a single representative to participate in the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism. It is expected that such members will have the authority to comment on behalf of the organisation, without sharing expressly confidential material outside of the Advisory Group.
In cases where members are being appointed as a representative of an organisation, assurances will be sought that organisational support is in place in order to ensure the appointee will be in a position to attend meetings and fulfil the duties required on a consistent basis.
Please note that the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism is not an advocacy, issue-based or lobbying group, and members are not expected to focus on a sole issue of interest to them, but rather to engage fully in the remit of the group to act as part of the monitoring structure of the NAPAR and its actions.
Go to https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/NAPARAdvisoryCouncilEOI , and submit your application to join the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism by Friday, 8 March 2024 at 1pm.
A panel from DCEDIY will review all applications, evaluating each on its own merits, against the experience sought for the Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism. In particular, we are interested in hearing about specific experience you can bring to the role. It is also important to let us know the sector you feel you are most suited to represent.
Applications will be scored on the following areas:
• Experience in the area including specialist knowledge (60 marks)
• Applicants must clearly identify and demonstrate their knowledge, experience and expertise in matters of racial equality and racism/racial discrimination. This can be demonstrated through lived experience, professional background, academic expertise, or a combination of relevant skills.
• Analysis and Feedback (20 marks)
• The Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism is required to provide critical and constructive feedback and analysis on the progress of the NAPAR and its actions. Applicants should demonstrate experience in being able to express their views and opinions, provide constructive analysis of issues, and give feedback based on their experience and knowledge of issues relating to racism.
• Interpersonal Skills / Working Collaboratively (20 marks)
• The Advisory Group on Racial Equality and Racism will work as part of the overall governance structure of the NAPAR. The Advisory Group’s work will involve discussion, debate and feedback which will inform the work of the Special Rapporteur. It is important that members can display that they have the collaborative and interpersonal skills to undertake this role. Examples of team working and collaboration with diverse groups should be provided.
If you would like to know more about combating racism, or would like more information about the National Action Plan Against Racism, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at antiracism@equality.gov.ie