An Amárach opinion poll, commissioned by Rethink Ireland in June 2020, showed 94% of Irish people surveyed believe Ireland should treat all people living here equally. But only 22% believe enough financial support is available for community organisations promoting equality.
You can download the full report HERE.
Equality issues are important (81%) 
Equality issues should be a priority for any Government (79%) 
Discrimination is a serious issue in Ireland today (76%)
Three in four believe more progress is needed on equality issues (76%) 
More could be done financially and educationally to tackle equality issues, with only three in ten (29%) agreeing there is sufficient public education available on the topic 
Only a third of respondents agree that enough work is being done to support people from different communities, identities and backgrounds (30%) 
Only a quarter agree there is sufficient consultation and engagement with people from different communities and backgrounds on decisions that could affect their lives (25%) “The Equality Fund focuses on sustainability. Rethink Ireland’s investment through The Equality Fund influenced further funding for the project in a major way. That was the first aspect of sustainability, we got another investor. Honestly it is such a privilege and a pleasure to be involved with Rethink Ireland. It’s just that sense of common purpose that we feel you have with us – that warm, encouraging and still quite challenging support we are getting.”
Noeline Blackwell CEO, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
“What we see in LGBT Ireland and what research has shown is that older LGBT people are invisible in older age services in Ireland. Because of this we set up the LGBT Champions Programme to train health and social care professionals to be aware, sensitive and confident in working with older LGBT people… Rethink Ireland had the right people to match us with, with the right expertise and knowledge to help the programme develop quickly. The Equality Fund has given us the time and the resources to plan properly and to be really rigorous in our planning.”
Paula Fagan CEO, LGBT Ireland
“The Equality Fund is giving us the ability to hire our first part time employee to coordinate the project and provide stability for the service. The coordinator role is to develop the service and referral pathways, and coordinate the volunteer advocates.”
Niera Belacy, Amal Women’s Association
“Quite apart from the financial support we have received, which is crucial in employing a therapist on the Phoenix Programme, the [Rethink Ireland] Accelerator days have been hugely beneficial not only to the Phoenix Programme but indeed to our work in the organisation as a whole.”
Maeve Lewis CEO, One in Four