Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
191 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 under the Equal Status Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14889/04]
View answerSince October 2000 direct and indirect discrimination in the provision of goods and services is prohibited under the Equal Status Act 2000 on nine grounds including disability.
The Act covers all goods and services which are available to the public, whether on payment or not. Services are defined broadly to include access to public places, banking and insurance services, entertainment, travel, transport, professional services, education, disposal of premises and provision of accommodation and private registered clubs.
A person who claims that she or he has been discriminated against in the non-employment area may seek redress by referring the case to the ODEI — the Equality Tribunal. The director has the power under the Equal Status Act to refer the case for mediation or to investigate and decide such a case. If the director finds in favour of the complainant, she may make an order for compensation for the effects of discrimination and/or order a specific course of action to be taken.
The ODEI, the Equality Tribunal, is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998 and that the director and her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of their functions. I have no statutory function in relation to such investigations and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case.
The Equality Authority, which has the role of working towards the elimination of discrimination, provides information and advice to any person who feels that he or she has been discriminated against on any of the grounds covered in the equality legislation, whether in an employment or non-employment area.
If a person wishes to take a case under the Equal Status Act, he or she may represent himself or herself, be represented by a solicitor or, in certain cases, request advice and possible representation from the Equality Authority. Contact details for the equality bodies are as follows:
Equality Authority
2 Clonmel Street
Dublin 2
Locall: 1890 245 545
Email: info@equality.ie
Website: www.equality.ie
ODEI- the Equality Tribunal
3 Clonmel Street
Dublin 2
Locall: 1890 344 424
Email: info@odei.ie
website: www.odei.ie
