Maynooth academic appointed to British and Irish government equality initiatives

Friday, August 17, 2018 - 12:15

Seamus Taylor, lecturer in Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University, has been appointed to serve on two government initiatives in Britain and Ireland aimed at addressing social and economic inequality.

In Britain, Seamus has been appointed to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. This review was established by the Home Secretary to identify lessons to be learned arising from the recent treatment of the Windrush generation migrants from the Caribbean to Britain. The independent review will deliver its report in spring 2019.

In Ireland, Seamus has been appointed to a new Expert Group on Equality Budgeting supported by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It progresses a government commitment ‘to develop the process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality.’ The aim is to anchor equality into the existing budgeting framework in terms of revenue and expenditure across government. It reflects the public sector duty to promote equality and protect human rights.

Responding to these appointments, Seamus commented: “In these times of significant uncertainty and change it is an honour to contribute to advancing equality understanding and practices in Britain and in Ireland. Given the current context, it is all the more important to safeguard rights and advance equality for those most at risk of deepening inequalities and rights infringements. These opportunities are made possible through the commitment of the Department of Applied Social Studies and the wider University to active public engagement.” 

Professor Maurice Devlin, Head of the Department of Applied Social Studies, commented: “Both the Windrush Review and the Expert Group on Equality Budgeting deal with fundamentally important matters of public policy and social justice. Seamus Taylor’s experience and expertise relating to policy, equality and the public sector make him exceptionally well equipped to contribute to both, and we are delighted to support him in these appointments.”