To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether local authority commissioned adoption agencies run by religious bodies will be subject to the Equality Act Regulations in Northern Ireland. (115862)

Yes. All providers of public services, including religious adoption agencies, where they are under a contract with a public authority, will be subject to the Regulations introduced under the Equality Act 2006.

If the services are being provided solely by the religious bodies, then they could be exempted from the Regulations by virtue of Regulation 16.