Vol. 489 No. 2
47 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that people over 50 years of age experience in trying to obtain employment; if she will offer incentives to employers who employ a number of their staff over the age of 50; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7572/98]
The issue of discrimination against persons on the basis of age with regard to employment is being addressed in the Employment Equality Bill which my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will shortly bring before the Dáil. The Bill has already completed all stages in the Seanad. The Bill will outlaw discrimination on the basis of age and on eight other grounds with regard to access to employment, conditions of employment, equal pay for work of equal value, training, work experience and promotion. An infrastructure to support persons who feel they have been discriminated against in pursuing their rights will also be set up on foot of this legislation.
I believe that a rights-based approach is a fairer and more effective way to attack any discrimination there may be against persons over 50 than an incentive-based approach.
In addition to the general floor of rights which is being enacted, I am conscious that older persons who have been long-term unemployed can be at a particular disadvantage in finding a job. That is why we have set aside 11,000 places on the community employment jobs option and 2,000 places on the jobs initiative for very long-term unemployed persons over the age of 35. It would certainly be my intention to maintain this kind of positive action in reintegrating persons in situations of greatest disadvantage to the labour market.
