A new survey published by the Irish Government indicates that LGBTQ+ people, alongside a variety of other minorities, are widely welcomed in Ireland by the country’s population. The report, entitled Survey on Attitudes towards the Equality Grounds Poll, was commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and revealed today, June 29.

Conducted by Ipsos in conjunction with government officials and representatives of different civil society groups, such as Pavee Point and Belong To, the study comes as part of a review of the Equality Acts. It involved 3,008 participants who shared their attitudes towards certain groups, including people with different nationalities, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, religious beliefs and marital statuses.

According to the findings, 88-89% of those surveyed would feel comfortable living beside a same-sex couple, while 79-80% would feel comfortable with a transgender or non-binary person next door. Similarly, 84% of interviewees expressed being comfortable with their child having a gay classmate, with 76-77% comfortable with there being a trans or non-binary student in their child’s class.

As part of a new public awareness campaign to celebrate Ireland’s LGBTI+ Community, we’ve spoken with prominent members of the Community about their lived experience in Ireland – see their stories here https://t.co/y7sC4VSWZj #forwardtogether #araghaidhlinn pic.twitter.com/x7jNXUqTv3

— Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, Youth (@dcediy) May 28, 2023

However, the survey results show that the level of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the Irish population lessens when it comes to other survey questions. While 74% of participants report being comfortable with their child being in a same-sex relationship, only 64% are comfortable with their child having a bisexual partner, and 55% comfortable with their child having a transgender or non-binary partner.

Furthermore, attitudes towards certain minority groups remain significantly less accepting than others, particularly regarding members of the Traveller and Roma communities.

On a more positive note, 87% of respondents think Ireland should help those fleeing the war in Ukraine, 76% feel the government should help people seeking international protection, and 72% believe immigrants contribute a lot to Irish society. 

“The survey provides us with a scientifically robust source of evidence on the current attitudes towards equality and diversity in Ireland,” Minister Roderic O’Gorman stated.

“It is encouraging to see that the majority of Irish people welcome those seeking safety from conflict and adversity. While the report shows that more work is required by government and the whole of the society on matters of diversity, it also reflects the welcoming attitude of Irish people towards new communities.

“This survey will inform the development of new equality strategies and action plans,” he concluded.