Frances Fitzgerald
Question:380 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases brought to the attention of the Equality Authority in relation to pregnancy and maternity leave. [17965/00]
Written Answers. - Equality Authority.
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, which came into operation on 18 October 1999, provided for the establishment of the Equality Authority to replace the Employment Equality Agency. The functions of the Equality Authority include the provision of information to the public in relation to the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, and the Employment Equality Act, 1998. The authority has dealt with 1,251 queries under the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, since 18 October 1999. In addition, the authority has dealt with 86 queries relating to alleged instances of pregnancy discrimination under the Employment Equality Act, 1998.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:381 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of harassment, including sexual harassment, in the workplace brought to the attention of the Equality Authority, since its inception. [17966/00]
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, which came into operation on 18 October 1999, prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on nine grounds, namely, gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the traveller community. The Act defines sexual harassment and harassment on any of the other eight grounds for the first time in Irish law and outlaws both sexual and other harassment. The Act also provided for the establishment of the Equality Authority which replaced the Employment Equality Agency. The authority is charged with working towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to the matters to which the Act applies. The Equality Authority has received 44 queries relating to harassment and 89 queries relating to sexual harassment since its inception on 18 October 1999.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:382 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases referred to the Equality Authority since its inception; the category of cases; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17967/00]
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, which replaced the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, and the Employment Equality Act, 1977, came into operation on 18 October 1999. The 1998 Act prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on nine grounds, namely, gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the traveller community. The Equality Authority has statutory responsibility to work towards the elimination of discrimination in employment on the nine grounds covered by the Act, and to promote equality of opportunity in relation to matters to which the Act applies. Disputes in relation to entitlements under the Act may be referred to the Office of Director of Equality Investigations or in the case of a dismissal, the Labour Court. Alternatively, a dispute in relation to discrimination on grounds of gender may be referred directly to the Circuit Court.
The Equality Authority has dealt with 4585 queries since its inception on 18 October 1999. Of these, 1784 related to employment equality issues and can be broken down as follows:
|
General Equality Legislation Information |
1,204 |
|
Gender/Sexual Harassment/Pregnancy |
282 |
|
Equal Pay |
47 |
|
Age |
66 |
|
Race |
46 |
|
Sexual Orientation |
12 |
|
Membership of the Traveller Community |
7 |
|
Religious Belief |
6 |
|
Disability |
107 |
|
Marital Status |
4 |
|
Family Status |
3 |
The authority provided information and advice to the public in relation to these queries and in a number of cases has agreed to provide representation in referring the case to the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations or to the Labour Court. The authority also provides information to the public in relation to the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, the Adoptive Leave Act, 1995, and the Parental Leave Act, 1998. Since its inception the authority has dealt with 1,251 queries under the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 and 1128 queries under the Parental Leave Act, 1998. A further 422 queries were received by the authority in relation to issues which fall outside its remit.