Vol. 511 No. 3
71 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the call for the introduction of legislation to protect older employees against ageism; if he will introduce this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24307/99]
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, came into operation on 18 October 1999. The Act prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on nine grounds, including age. The Act is comprehensive and deals with all areas relevant to employment including access to employment, conditions of employment, remuneration, promotion and vocational training. The age provisions of the Act apply to persons between the ages of 18 years and 65 years, except in the case of vocational training, where the Act applies to persons over the minimum school leaving age.
The Equality Authority, which replaced the Employment Equality Agency, is charged with working towards the elimination of discrimination in relation to employment, and with the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to the matters to which the Act applies. The authority will provide information and advice to anyone who feels that they have been discriminated against contrary to any of the provisions of the Act.
