Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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536. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps can be taken to ensure that persons with disabilities claiming under the Equal Status Act 2000 and/or the Employment Equality Act 1998 have fair hearings; if he has any concerns about those with disabilities seeking justice before both the Workplace Relations Commission and/or the Labour Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30634/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 prohibit discrimination and harassment on specified grounds, including that of disability, in the field of employment and in the access to and supply of goods and services, respectively. The Acts place obligations on employers and service providers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.

In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks. It is hoped that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward later this year.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015). The oversight of operations of the Workplace Relations Commission falls under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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537. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to introduce legislation prohibiting discrimination on grounds of socio-economic disadvantage under the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30635/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The ongoing review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (the Equality Acts), is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.

The Review is also examining the 2020 Programme for Government commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground based on disadvantaged socio-economic status.

In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks.

It is hoped that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward later this year.