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Equality Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Ceisteanna (138, 141, 142)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

138. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure for a prospective tenant in the private rental market to report cases of discrimination against rent allowance recipients; her views on whether the Workplace Relations Commission is the appropriate agency for this procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30214/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

141. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the agency responsible for dealing with discrimination in cases of private rented accommodation is the Workplace Relations Commission. [30583/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

142. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Workplace Relations Commission is the agency responsible for dealing with discrimination in cases of private rented accommodation; and her plans to transfer this power to the RTB. [30584/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 141 and 142 together.

The functions of the former Equality Tribunal, both in relation to discrimination regarding employment and in the provision of services, became the function of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on the merger of the Equality Tribunal and other bodies to form that Commission. I regard as appropriate that the WRC should continue to deal with the full range of issues relating to discrimination. This includes alleged discrimination in relation to the provision of Housing Assistance Payment and rent allowance as provided for in the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015. I do not propose to change those arrangements. It is important to understand that there will be no relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties in a case where a prospective tenant alleges discrimination on the basis of being or not being in receipt of either of the payments specified and the Residential Tenancies Board would therefore not be the appropriate body for such cases.

Members of the public may obtain advice from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission if they feel that they have been discriminated against contrary to equality legislation, including advice on how to take a claim to the WRC, which provides a free and accessible adjudication service.

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