The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 (‘the Acts’) prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. They cover the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community. In addition, the Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation services against people who are in receipt of rent supplement, housing assistance, or social welfare payments.
Discrimination
The Acts prohibit discrimination subject to some exemptions, in access to and use of goods and service, including indirect discrimination and discrimination by association, sexual harassment and harassment, and victimisation. The Acts allow positive action to promote equality for disadvantaged persons or to cater for the special needs of persons.
Discriminatory advertising is also prohibited. It is prohibited to publish, display or cause to be published or displayed, an advertisem*nt which indicates an intention to discriminate, harass or sexually harass or might reasonably be understood as indicating such an intention.
Reasonable Accommodation
In addition the Acts require those selling goods or providing services to provide reasonable accommodation or special treatment or facilities where without these it would be impossible or unduly difficult for a person with disabilities to avail of the goods and services, unless this would cost more than a nominal cost. What amounts to a nominal cost will depend on the circ*mstances such as the size and resources of the body involved.
Services provided by the State (such as the Health Service Executive, local authorities, and so on) are covered but there are some exemptions.
The main exemption is that anything required to be done by another Irish law or EU law cannot be regarded as discrimination under the Equal Status Acts.
For example, it is not discrimination to refuse a social welfare payment to a person if that person is excluded from entitlement to the payment or benefit under social welfare law. There are also specific exemptions on the nationality ground in relation to the treatment by public authorities of certain foreign nationals.
Do you think that you have been discriminated against?
If you feel like you have been discriminated against under one or more of the nine grounds for discrimination, you can check if your situation is covered by viewing our information on Your Rights.
Please note that these factsheets are for information only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such.
FAQs
The Acts prohibit discrimination subject to some exemptions, in access to and use of goods and service, including indirect discrimination and discrimination by association, sexual harassment and harassment, and victimisation.
What are the different equality acts? ›
the Race Relations Act 1976. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.
What is the S 5 Equality Act? ›
This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings.
What are the protected status of the Equality Act? ›
You're legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010. You're also protected from discrimination if: you're associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend. you've complained about discrimination or supported someone else's claim.
How to reference the Equal Status Act 2000? ›
Short title. 1. — This Act may be cited as the Equal Status Act, 2000.
What are the 4 types of equality? ›
All humans' right to equality is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Individuals have the right to exercise all of their human rights without facing discrimination. Every individual, thus, deserves social equality, economic equality, political equality, and civil equality.
What are the 5 types of equality? ›
Types of Equality
- Social Equality. Social equality indicates that no citizen of the nation should be denied rights, privileges, or opportunities because of their birth, class, caste, religion, colour, race, gender, or social standing. ...
- Civil Equality. ...
- Economic Equality. ...
- Natural Equality. ...
- Political Equality. ...
- Legal Equality.
The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations.
What are the 9 categories of the Equality Act? ›
Under the Equality Act 2010, there are 9 protected characteristics which are; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
What is Section 7 of the Equality Act? ›
(1)A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex.
This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings.
Who is not protected by the Equality Act? ›
Protection afforded in the Equality Act to marriage and civil partnership only protects people who are married or in a civil partnership from discrimination. It does not protect people who are single, divorced, widowed or have dissolved their civil partnerships.
What are the four types of discrimination Equality Act? ›
Under the Equality Act, there are four main types of discrimination: direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
What is the meaning of equal status? ›
It means the absence of special privilege to any person or section and adequate opportunities for all. It stipulates each and every person be treated equally and subject to equal law.
What Constitution is the Equal Rights Act? ›
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would, if added, explicitly prohibit sex discrimination. It was written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman and introduced in Congress in December 1923 as a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution.
What is the act on equal status and equal rights irrespective of gender? ›
Art. 1 Aim The aim of this Act is to establish and maintain equal status and equal opportunities for women and men, and thus promote gender equality in all spheres of the society. All individuals shall have equal opportunities to benefit from their own enterprise and to develop their skills irrespective of gender.
What are the Equality Acts 2006 and 2010? ›
The Equality Acts 2006 and 2010 set out the legal details on enforcement, such as which court a case can be brought in, the remedies available and the time limits that apply.
What are the 4 specific duties of the Equality Act? ›
eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation. advance equality of opportunity between different groups. foster good relations between different groups.
