Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [24416/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000, are within the remit of the Minister for Community, Equality, and Gaeltacht Affairs. They outlaw discrimination in employment on the grounds of, among other matters, gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation and religious belief.

Discrimination is described in Section 6 of the Employment Equality Act 1998 as the treatment of a person in a less favourable way than another person is, has been or would be treated on any of the above, and other, grounds.

A complaint of discrimination must be made to the Equality Authority within the 6-month time limit from the last act of discrimination. The 6-month time limit can be extended up to 12 months by the Authority's Director 'for reasonable cause'. Complaints should be addressed to the Equality Authority, Clonmel Street (off Harcourt Street), Dublin 2, Telephone (01) 417 3333, LoCall 1890 245 545, Website: www.equality.ie E-mail: info@equality.ie

In addition, employment rights legislation has provisions whereby workers who believe that they have been denied their entitlements, or otherwise unfairly treated, can, take the matter before a Commissioner in the Rights Commissioner Service of the Labour Relations Commission, Telephone: (01) 613 6700 or Lo call: 1890 220 227 (outside (01) area).

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) also deals with complaints in relation to employment rights legislation by carrying out inspections on employers. When evidence of non-compliance with the relevant employment rights legislation is found, the NERA Inspector seeks redress for the individual/s concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. NERA's Inspection Services can be contacted on Lo-Call 1890 220 100 or Email: inspection@employmentrights.ie A complaint form is available on www.employmentrights.ie