Public sector faced most claims of discrimination

There were more allegations of discrimination against Government departments, local authorities and State agencies last year than against any other sector, the Equality Authority's annual report, which was published yesterday, shows.

People with disabilities were the most discriminated against, accounting for 23 per cent of the authority's total case work last year, with immigrants and Travellers also experiencing significant discrimination in the workplace and accessing services.

The authority is an independent statutory body which provides information about equality rights, and also advocates for individuals whom it believes have legal cases.

These may be taken to the Labour Court, the Equality Tribunal or the courts.

The main Acts it works to uphold are the Equal Status Act, which outlaws discrimination in access to services and facilities, the Employment Equality Act, which outlaws discrimination in the workplace, and the Intoxicating Liquor Act, which deals with licensed premises.

The authority had 853 case files last year - 404 under employment equality, 366 under equal status and 83 under the Intoxicating Liquor Act.

Speaking yesterday, the authority's chief executive, Niall Crowley, highlighted the "disturbing" situation faced by people with disabilities.

Noting people with disabilities accounted for 197 case files - 23 per cent of the total and the highest proportion of those opened - he said the discrimination related mostly to a failure by employers and service providers to make often minor, but necessary, adjustments.

Race grounds accounted for 150 of the total, Traveller (127), gender (126), and age (111).

Mr Crowley said so prevalent were the barriers faced by people with disabilities that many thousands were effectively "housebound".

Referring to the fact that 40 per cent of all equal status cases and 23 per cent of employment equality cases were against Government agencies, Mr Crowley said there was a "real challenge for the public sector to gear up".

"The sector is the biggest service provider in the State, and there is a need for the agencies to show leadership."