Survey finds widespread discrimination in Ireland
Both the ESRI and the Equality Authority said the research was a matter of “concern”, ahead of releasing their report today.
The study — the first of its kind — includes research on discrimination in the workplace, shops, pubs, banks and in healthcare.
It questioned different age groups, religions, people of various ethnic backgrounds, as well as lone parents, the unemployed and disabled.
Up to 24,600 respondents, from a Central Statistics Office national household survey carried out in 2004, gave their experiences of discrimination over the previous two years.
Some 40% of black people, as well as 25% of Asians, felt they had been discriminated against.
In general, almost one in five non-Irish nationals reported discrimination.
This was a lot higher than the 12% of Irish adults overall who reported experiencing a lack of equality.
Feelings of discrimination were high among the disabled (20%), the unemployed (29%), as well as lone parents (23%).
Overall, men and women were equally likely to record discrimination but experiences differed.
Women felt more discriminated against in the workplace and accessing healthcare while men recorded unequal treatment looking for work and accessing financial services.
Furthermore, while men felt discriminated against because of their age or nationality, women felt they were treated unequally if they were married.
When it came to religion, 27% of Muslims felt they had been discriminated in the two years running up to the survey while only 11% of Catholics felt they were.
The Equality Authority’s chief executive Neil Crowley said the survey showed legislation needed to be widened to include greater scope for equality cases.
Sectors identified with discrimination, like finance or health services, needed to prioritise the training of staff in areas of equality, he said.
It was important to break down the feelings of discrimination against black and other ethnic communities identified in the survey, he also warned.
“There are long term implications for us in trying to create an integrated society.”
The ESRI noted that groups who reported the highest rates of discrimination were least likely to take any action, such as making a complaint or starting a legal case.
Those who were unemployed, disabled or were non-Irish and who were the most vulnerable, needed to be made more aware of their rights through education as well as company and government policies, it was concluded.
The report, The Experience of Discrimination in Ireland, will be forwarded to ministers and the employers group IBEC among others.
* www.esri.ie
* www.equality.ie
Feelings of discrimination over a two year period:
* Irish people overall, 12%.
* 18-24 years of age, 18%.
* Black people, 40%.
* White people, 11%.
* 65+ years of age, 6%.
* Muslim, 27%.
* Church of Ireland, 13%.
* Unemployed, 29%.
* Lone parent with a child under 15 years of age, 23%.
* 26% who experienced discrimination say it had a serious impact on their lives.
* Only 6% overall made formal complaints.
* Highest rates of discrimination took place looking for work (5.8%), in work (4.8%), looking for housing (4%), and with financial institutions (3.7%).
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