Workplace Relations Commission

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Ceisteanna (81)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

81. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the equality ground of the nine equality grounds which would potentially cover an allegation that a landlord refused a person a tenancy on the grounds that the prospective tenant would be in receipt of rent supplement or other State rent subsidy schemes; and the number of such cases that have been brought before the WRC since refusal of a tenancy on grounds of rent supplement receipt was deemed illegal. [32664/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

I would refer the Deputy to the amendments to the Equal Status Act 2000 made by the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, which prohibit discrimination on the basis outlined in the Question as a stand-alone provision within the Equal Status Acts.

I am informed by the Workplace Relations Commission that 40 complaint applications have been lodged since August 2016 under the Equal Status Acts in relation to the housing assistance ground. Complaints under this category were not recorded separately prior to August pending a necessary software update.