Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is illegal under the Equality Act 2015 or other legislation for private emergency accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts or hotels, to specifically deny accommodation to persons on the grounds that they are homeless; or on the basis that they are paying via emergency homeless assistance payments from local authorities. [16678/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Status Act 2015 introduced new provisions that prohibit discrimination in the provision of rented accommodation on the basis that a person is in receipt of certain payments (such as rent supplement or housing assistance payment). Advice for persons who consider that they might have been discriminated against under these provisions or any provision of equality legislation is available from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. A person who considers that their rights have been infringed under any provision of equality legislation can bring a claim for adjudication to the Workplace Relations Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to offer legal advice or a legal interpretation of any statutory provision where compliance with that provision is or may be subject to adjudication by a Tribunal or consideration by a Court.