Annual Report 2004.pdf - Equality Authority

level of awards made by the EqualityTribunal in cases involving licensedpremises continues to be a cause ofconcern.The Equality Tribunal made a number ofuseful proactive orders in addition tocompensation. These include the provisionof comprehensive training on the EqualStatus Act 2000 for all staff, an apology,the preparation of an equality policy, anorder requiring an employer to review itspolicy and practices on harassment toensure it contains a mechanism foraddressing complaints involving clientsand customers.The Intoxicating Liquor Act,2003In 2004 10 casefiles related to theIntoxicating Liquor Act, 2003, 6 on thedisability ground, 3 on the Travellercommunity ground and 1 on the ageground. As stated above, this figure is notindicative of the level of demand on theEquality Authority’s services or the extentof the discrimination.The Equality Authority is not afforded astatutory function to provide informationto the public on the operation of section19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2003through its Public Information Centre,leaflets, videos and website.Equal Status Act 2000 to 2004There were 509 casefiles under the EqualStatus Act 2000 to 2004. 375 files relate tothe provision of services, 35 relate to theprovision of accommodation, 74 relate toeducational establishments, 11 relate toregistered clubs and 15 are in respect ofgeneral advice on the operation of thelegislation.145 of the 509 files (approximately 10%)relate to claims of discrimination againstlicensed premises. 126 files relate toclaims of discrimination against the publicsector (not including educationalestablishments). Casefiles involvinginsurance companies make up the thirdlargest category of casefiles. Files involvingthe provision of accommodation are equalin number to those involving insurancewith the public sector involved in morethan double the number of files involvingthe private sector in this area.The grounds of race and of the Travellercommunity dominate the casefilesinvolving 47.5% of all of the files. Underthe Equal Status Act 2000, 45 of the 126files against public bodies involve theground of race and the Travellercommunity ground. 26 of 74 files involvingeducational establishments relate to thegrounds of race and of the Travellercommunity. 17 of the files involving theprovisions of accommodation involve theEquality Authority Annual Report 2004 • 23