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What is Screening?

Screening is the process by which the impacts of policies on different groups of people (i.e. the nine catergories under Section 75) are initially reviewed.  The Equality Commission, in its 2001 Guide to the Statutory Duty, states that for each policy, the following criteria must be considered:

• Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different groups?
• Is there any evidence that different groups have different needs, experiences, issues, and priorities in relation to the particular policy?
• Is there an opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity or better community relations by altering the policy or working with others in government or in the larger community?
• Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated that particular policies create problems which are specific to them?

If the answer to any of these is 'yes', consideration must be given whether further in-depth analysis is necessary.  Such an in-depth examination of a policy is called 'Equality Impact Assessment'.