Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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437. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding labour employment legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29082/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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438. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding workloads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29083/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.

The Employment Equality Act 1998 protects employees against discrimination on any of nine grounds (age, civil status, family status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller community). Claims under the legislation can be taken for assessment and adjudication to the Equality Tribunal and a person who considers that he or she has been discriminated against in the workplace and wishes to take a claim can seek advice and assistance in that regard from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Insofar as civil servants are concerned, there are a number of avenues open to address matters of the type raised by the Deputy, including:

- in the first instance, having a frank discussion with one's manager;

- using the annual goal setting, interim and final reviews of performance under the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) to raise matters of concern;

- seeking the assistance of the officer's HRM Division; or

- invoking the Civil Service Grievance procedure.