Govt depts found guilty of discriminating against disabled staff

The Equality Tribunal has ordered two Government departments to pay compensation to a man and a woman who they discriminated against on the grounds of disability.

In the first case, an unnamed department was ordered to pay €6,000 to a recovering alcoholic who was overlooked for promotion while people with inferior assessments were recommended as suitable.

The department was also ordered to appoint the man to the relevant grade, with full back pay.

In the other case, a clerical officer with the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Co Donegal was awarded €10,000 after being denied promotion because she had an eye condition that meant she could not work with computers.

Carmel Boyle was overlooked for the position despite being the most senior candidate available.

The Equality Tribunal found that the department had failed in its legal duty to explore options that might have allowed her to carry out computerised tasks.