What are the Equal Status Acts 2000-2008?
The Equal Status Acts 2000-2008, prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, the disposal of property and access to education, on any of the nine grounds set out below. The Acts outlaw discrimination in all services that are generally available to the public whether provided by the state or the private sector. These include facilities for refreshment, entertainment, banking, insurance, grants credit facilities, transport and travel services. Discrimination in the disposal of premises, provision of accommodation, admission or access to educational courses or establishments is also prohibited subject to some exemptions.
The nine grounds on which discrimination is outlawed by the Equal Status Acts are as follows:
- Gender
- Marital status
- Family status
- Sexual orientation
- Religious belief
- Age
- Disability
- Race colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins
- Membership of the Traveller community
Complaints in respect of registered clubs and licensed premises may only be referred to the District Court.
Penalising a person for making a complaint of discrimination or for giving evidence in someone else's complaint or lawfully opposing unlawful discrimination is called victimisation and the Equal Status Act specifically protects a person against such victimisation.
