Disability dominates workplace discrimination cases

Disabled people suffer the most discrimination in Irish society, it emerged today.

Alarming figures from the Equality Authority revealed a quarter of its workload last year involved complaints from people with disabilities.

The annual report also revealed racism in the workplace is a serious problem with 12% of its cases relating to abuse of migrant workers.

Niall Crowley, Equality Authority chairman, said the level of complaints from disabled people showed the extent of the problem.

"This reflects the significant barriers faced by people with disabilities in seeking to participate in Irish society," he said.

There were just under 200 complaints from disabled people last year.

"The casefiles relate predominantly to failure by employers and service providers to make necessary adjustments for people with disabilities," Mr Crowley said.

"The core issues raised in the casefiles are allegations of discrimination in working conditions, dismissal and access to employment and allegation of discrimination in access to education and to public sector services."

There are 400,000 people living in Ireland with some form of disability.

But disabled rights campaigners warned the real level of discrimination may be unknown.

Michael Ringrose, chief executive of People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI), said: "Our view is the level of complaints is actually lower than what they should be.

"Discrimination against people with disabilities has been endemic for so many years."

He said there had been some improvements with new legislation but warned: "Nonetheless, people with disabilities would often have issues of capacity around understanding their rights and entitlements. Large numbers have experienced educational disadvantage.

"Greater awareness needs to be generated among people with disabilities. In this regard it is disappointing that the position of Director of Advocacy Services has not yet been sanctioned."

The Equality Authority reported 103 complaints were made by workers claiming racist abuse; 88 by travellers; 83 on gender issues despite 30 years of gender equality legislation.

There were 31 reported cases of sexual harassment.

Mr Crowley warned however over delays in processing cases through the Equality Tribunal - a separate body set up to determine cases and award compensation when needed.

"Delays of three years are not uncommon," he said.

"This means that remedies are not effective, simple and swift and mechanisms for enforcement are limiting the capacity to create a culture of compliance with the equality legislation."

In all the Equality Authority dealt with 10,585 queries under five different Acts - Employment Equality Acts 2933; Equal Status Acts 1560; Maternity Protection Acts 3716; Parental Leave Act 2195; and Adoptive Leave Act 181.