It was formed as a result of the merger of the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC); both former bodies were dissolved and their functions transferred to the IHREC.
The IHREC is Ireland's National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), which means that its powers and functions fully comply with the Paris Principles.
The Principles, which set out the role, composition, status and functions of NHRIs, were endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993.
The Commission aims to bring about change through legal means, policy and legislative advice, awareness and education and partnerships across civil society.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission offers a fully accessible Changing Places toilet facility for people with disabilities and carers to drop in their offices at 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7.