Equal Status Acts 2000 & 2004
Equality legislation now covers employment as well as the provision of goods and services, including education. The Equal Status Act 2000 was recently amended by the Equality Act 2004; together they are known as the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004. Their main aim is to promote equality by forbidding discrimination in employment, vocational training, advertising, collective agreements and the provision of goods and services. People who provide services to the public (e.g. recreational services, transport or travel services, banking services etc.) cannot discriminate.
Who is responsible for overseeing this legislation?
The Equality Authority provides information to the public on the equality legislation. It is an independent state body in Ireland set up to ensure that all citizens in the country are treated equally and to ensure that discrimination on certain grounds does not occur.
Is there an easy-to-read version of the Acts available?
The Equality Authority website has detailed information on the Acts. For more information click here.
The Equality Authority also has a very useful publication entitled “Schools and the Equal Status Act. This publication highlights the ways in which the legislation can be used effectively for the creation of an inclusive school environment.
