Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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810. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to recognise medical alert dogs to afford them the same status as other assistance dogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8081/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination, across nine protected grounds, in employment and in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. Disability is one of the protected grounds under the Acts.

The Acts also place certain obligations on service providers and employers to make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.

The Acts do not specifically mention dogs, and, as such, do not distinguish between guide dogs, assistance dogs or medical alert dogs.

If someone feels that they have been discriminated against on the basis of their disability, they can bring a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) provide guides to the legislation and detailed information on making a complaint on their website, at www.ihrec.ie, if relevant.