The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, today expressed his disappointment at the increase of complaints to the Equality Authority from migrant workers, pregnant women and those with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch of the Equality Authority's Strategic Plan for 2003-2005,Mr McDowell acknowledged the pressures under which the Equality Authority operated in its initial years and said he was aware that demand has "continued to grow".
He said there was a "rapid" growth in queries from migrant workers and from those with disabilities. He said it was "disappointing to learn that over 25 years after the enactment of the first employment equality legislation, complaints relating to pregnancy still constitute such a large part of the complaints to the Authority".
Over half the queries dealt with by the authority related to the Parental Leave Act, the Maternity Protection Act and the Adoptive Leave Act.
Mr McDowell said the Strategic Plan would "form the basis for prioritising themes to direct the work of the Authority over the next three years".
As outlined in the plan, Mr McDowell said one particular focus to the work "will be service provision in the fields of health and of education".
There will be scheme to assist service providers in these areas to fulfil their obligations under the Equal Status Act 2000 and to pursue equality outcomes across all nine grounds of the equality agenda, making the workplace and beyond more accessible to all.
The Minister also praised the authority's involvement in anti-racism activities such as the kNOw Racism programme and its contribution to the Anti-Racism Workplace Week in 2001 and 2002.