Frances Fitzgerald
Question:19 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases that have been referred to the Equality Authority under age grounds. [5881/01]
Written Answers. - Equality Authority.
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, which came into operation on 18 October 1999 prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on nine grounds including age. The Equal Status Act, 2000, which came into operation on 25 October 2000, prohibits discrimination on the same nine grounds in relation to the provision of goods and services, accommodation, disposal of premises and education.
The Employment Equality Act also provided for the establishment of the Equality Authority which replaced the Employment Equality Agency. The role of the authority was extended under the Equal Status Act. The authority has statutory responsibility to work towards the elimination of discrimination on the nine grounds covered by the legislation and to promote equality of opportunity in relation to matters to which the Acts apply. In carrying out this remit the authority advises and assists people under the Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000.
Up to the end of January 2001, the authority has received over 4,500 inquiries in relation to the Employment Equality Act, 1998. Approximately 14% of these inquiries related to age. The authority has pursued 26 cases in relation to the age ground under the Employment Equality Act. This may involve, for example, contacting employers with a view to resolving complaints in relation to possible age discrimination and in some instances the referral of a case by the authority to the director of equality investigations. The authority has received 2,150 inquiries under the Equal Status Act, 2000 up to the end of January and approximately 17% of these inquiries related to age. The authority has pursued 18 cases in relation to the age ground under the Equal Status Act.