Proposed reform in Equality Act signals change in Irish schools and hospitals

Minister for Equality Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says he is determined to see a change in the act which allows religious-run schools and hospitals to sack staff if their private life appears to go against the ethos of the institution.

As it stands today, employers have the right to dismiss a staff member on certain grounds in accordance with the ethos of the school or hospital, therefore gay, divorced or unmarried staff members fear for their job security in certain circumstances.

Speaking about the issue to The Irish Examiner, the minister said: "They can be sacked, technically, if a board manager felt that someone was actively undermining  the ethos of their school by their private life."

The minister hopes to see a change in Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act by Easter, saying: "Members of the LGBT community and divorcees and unmarried parents will not have a fear of being themselves and being open about their private lives if they are working in schools and hospitals."

The proposed move is intended to have a positive impact on children in schools, with the minister saying: "Teachers can't be open about being gay or lesbian because of the impact it could have on their job security. This can mean they are fearful of addressing homophobia bullying, for fear it would being attention to themselves."

Mr. Ó Ríordáin believes former minister, Alan Shatter, delayed the amendment to the bill, saying: "It wasn't a priority foe the previous minister of justice."