Legislation

1. Employment Equality Act 1998-2010
2. Equal Status Act 2000-2010
3. Disability Act 2005
4. Universities Act 1997
5. Other resources

Employment Equality Acts

The Employment Equality Act 1998 came into force in 1999, and was amended by the Equality Act 2004 and Civil Partnership Act 2010.

It deals with discrimination within employment related to nine grounds: gender, civil status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and membership of the Traveller community.

Most employment issues are dealt with by the Act, including:
• dismissal,
• equal pay,
• harassment and sexual harassment,
• working conditions,
• promotion,
• access to employment etc.

However, all disputes must relate to one or more of the nine grounds.

Please note: The above points are intended only as a very brief summary of the main provision of the Act and should not be relied upon as a legal document. There are many other provisions and exemptions under the legislation.
For more detailed information please download Guide to Employment Equality Acts 1998-2008 from the Equality Authority (PDF)

Equal Status Act 2000-2010

The Equal Status Act 2000 came into force on the 25th October 2000. It was amended by the Equality Act 2004 and Civil Partnership Act 2010.

It relates to discrimination based on nine grounds: Gender, Civil Status, Family Status, Age, Race, Religion, Disability, Sexual Orientation, and membership of the Traveller community.

The Act applies to people who:

• Buy and sell a wide variety of goods,
• Use or provide a wide range of services,
• Obtain or dispose of accommodation,
• Attend at, or are in charge of, educational establishments,
• There are separate provisions on discriminatory clubs.

However, all disputes must relate to one or more of the nine grounds.

Please note: The above points are intended only as a very brief summary of the main provision of the Acts and should not be relied upon as a legal document. There are many other provisions and exemptions under the legislation.
For more detailed information please download Guide to the Equal Status Acts 2000-2008 from the Equality Authority (PDF).

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Disability Act 2005

This Act was enacted in September 1st 2005 and includes a number of positive action measures designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life. Part 3 of the Act contains a number of obligations (Sections 25,26,27,28 & 29) specifically related to public bodies, including College, that are in effect since 31st December 2005.

The objective of Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005 is to ensure that an integrated access to public buildings and services is available to people with and without disabilities. This includes:

• access to the public parts of public buildings,
• access to information, including information provided directly by College, and inforamtion purchases and / or provided on our behalf,
• access to services provided by public bodies, including services provided directly by College, and those purchased and / or provided on our behalf.

In accordance with the Act an Access Officer and two Inquiry Officers has been appointed for Trinity College Dublin.

For further information see the Disability Act 2005. Also visit our Disability Service website.

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Universities Act 1997

The Universities Act 1997 places obligations on universities to promote equality, including gender balance, and access.

Full copy of the 1997 Universities Act

Further Resourcesfor Understanding Irish Equality Legislation

Mental Health and Equality Guides - Equality Authority

The Equality Authority launched two Equality and Mental Health guides on 2 February 2012:

Equality and mental health – how the law can help you: provides practical information for people with experience of mental health difficulties on their equality rights in employment and access to services.

Equality and mental health – what the law means for your workplace: provides information for employers on their responsibilitie towards employees and potential employees with experience of mental health issues. The guide explains the legal requirement for employers to provide reasonable accommodation for employees and potential employees with experience of mental health difficulties.

For more information contact Deirdre Twomey in the Equality Authority.

The Equality Acts - Training materials

There are now two DVD training tools on equality legislation available upon request to the Equality Officer. These resources are facilitated by the Equality Authority.

• The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2000 (DVD)
• The Equal Status Acts 2000-2004 (DVD)

For further information please contact The Equality Authority

Websites with Further Information

• Citizens Information
• The Equality Authority
• The Irish Statute Book
• Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010