The following is taken from Chapter 4 of the 2011 Equality Scheme:
4.27 Monitoring can assist the Board to deliver better public services and continuous improvements. Monitoring Section 75 information involves the processing of sensitive personal data (data relating to the racial or ethnic origin of individuals, sexual orientation, political opinion, religious belief, etc.) In order to carry out monitoring in a confidential and effective manner, the Board follows guidance from the Office of the Information Commissioner and the Equality Commission.
4.28 The Board will monitor any adverse impact on the promotion of equality of opportunity in the policies it has adopted. The Board is also committed to monitoring more broadly to identify opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity and good relations in line with Equality Commission guidance.
4.29 The systems the Board has established to monitor the impact of policies and identify opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity and good relations are:
• the collection, collation and analysis of existing relevant primary quantitative and qualitative data across all nine equality categories (where possible) on an on-going basis;
• the collection, collation and analysis of existing relevant secondary sources of quantitative and qualitative data across all nine equality categories on an on-going basis;
• an audit of existing information systems within one year of approval of this Equality Scheme, to identify the extent of current monitoring and take action to address any gaps in order to have the necessary information on which to base decisions;
• undertaking or commissioning new data if necessary.
4.30 If, over a two year period, monitoring and evaluation show that a policy results in greater adverse impact than predicted, or if opportunities arise which would allow for greater equality of opportunity to be promoted, the Board will ensure that the policy is revised to achieve better outcomes for relevant equality groups.
4.31 The Board reviews its EQIA monitoring information on an annual basis. Other monitoring information is reviewed on an annual basis, for example, complaints monitoring and maintenance of a compendium of research literature.
For further information please consult the 2011 Equality Scheme.
