The Equality Authority has invited submissions from interested parties as part of a consultation process in relation to a proposed amendment to s37 of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2011. The Programme for Government states: "People of non-faith or minority religious backgrounds and publicly identified LGBT people should not be deterred from training or taking up employment as teachers in the State". The s37 provision may also have an impact in institutions that have a religious ethos such as those in the health sector. The Minister for Justice and Equality has decided to merge the Equality Authority with the Irish Human Rights Commission. His letter of appointment to the members of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (designate) (the "Commission designate") sets out that he wanted to address the amendment of s37 of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2011 with the Commission members as a priority matter. The Commission designate has agreed to review the issue and the Executive of the Equality Authority are leading this project. See the Congress submission here
