People with previous convictions (PWCs) frequently face barriers to employment, education, housing, insurance, and various forms of civil participation due to their criminal records. These barriers make it more difficult for PWCs to reintegrate into society and contribute to their risk of reoffending. 

Relevant stakeholders have proposed two areas of legislative reform that would promote social inclusivity for PWCs:

• The expansion of the current scheme for spent convictions (explained in the report).
• An amendment to the Equality Acts to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of a criminal record.

Difficulties faced by people with convictions
A 2023 academic study on labour market discrimination against people with convictions found that PWCs face a form of discrimination that is ‘unfair, ineffective and counterproductive’. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) notes the real-life impact of having to disclose previous convictions to third parties, including the withdrawal of employment offers, exclusion from third level education, loss of housing and refusal of insurance policies. These barriers hamper PWCs’ social integration and participation....