The Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) failed to comply with its equality scheme over a number of years, an Equality Commission investigation has found.

The investigation, conducted under Paragraph 10 of Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, followed a complaint by an individual. It identified failures in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of CCEA's equality scheme.

The Commission also found breaches of equality scheme commitments in three specific policies: recruitment, redeployment and performance related pay. More generally, weaknesses were identified in CCEA's arrangements for staff training on equality scheme commitments.

Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said Section 75 duties are important and should be carefully considered by all public authorities required to do so by law. She said the investigation found failures in CCEA's approach to compliance.

Public authorities must ensure they implement the arrangements committed to in their equality schemes, including how they assess and monitor the impact of staff policies on equality of opportunity, McGahey said.

The Commission has recommended that CCEA complete a review of its equality scheme within six months. It also recommended that CCEA develop and deliver a three-year training plan for staff closely involved in delivering Section 75 responsibilities, and renew its commitment to undertake screening and, where necessary, equality impact assessments at the earliest stage of policy development.

CCEA has accepted the findings of the investigation and the recommendations made by the Commission.