Bernard J. Durkan
Question:249 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that equality legislation is observed fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7584/03]
Written Answers - Equality Legislation.
The Employment Equality Act 1998 prohibits discrimination in employment on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. The Equal Status Act prohibits discrimination on the same nine grounds in access to and provision of goods and services.
The Employment Equality Act 1998 provided for the establishment of the Equality Authority. The remit of the authority was extended under the Equal Status Act. The functions of the authority include working towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination, the promotion of equality of opportunity and the provision of information to the public on the provisions of the equality legislation.
The Equality Authority annual report for 2002, which I launched on 6 March 2003, shows that, in 2002, the authority received 10,978 general queries for information about equality and related legislation. Nearly half the queries related to parental, maternity and adoptive leave entitlements. During 2002, the authority opened 532 new case files across all nine grounds. These figures compare with a total of 752 new case files opened in 2001. Some 227 of the case files opened in 2002 refer to the Employment Equality Act 1998 and 305 refer to the Equal Status Act 2000.
The Employment Equality Act also provided for the establishment of the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations, ODEI – the equality tribunal, to provide the main forum for redress in equality cases. Anyone who considers that s/he has suffered discrimination contrary to the equality legislation may seek redress by referring a case to the ODEI – the equality tribunal, the Labour Court, the District Court or the Circuit Court as appropriate.
I am satisfied that the equality infrastructure put in place on the coming into force of the recent equality legislation and the avenues of redress provided in the legislation are adequate to respond to discrimination in society whether in the workplace or elsewhere.
Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 135.