Under Irish law discrimination is illegal in the provision of goods, facilities and services available to the public generally, schools and other educational establishments, the provision of accommodation and in relation to membership of private registered clubs. In addition to this discrimination on the grounds of ‘race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins’ is forbidden.

Clear
  • Anti-discrimination Legislation & Implementation

    Under Irish law discrimination is illegal in the provision of goods, facilities and services available to the public generally, schools and other educational establishments, the provision of accommodation and in relation to membership of private registered clubs. In addition to this discrimination on the grounds of ‘race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins’ is forbidden.

    • Is racial discrimination defined in national law?

      Under Irish law discrimination is illegal in the provision of goods, facilities and services available to the public generally, schools and other educational establishments, the provision of accommodation and in relation to membership of private registered clubs. In addition to this discrimination on the grounds of ‘race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins’ is forbidden.

      Qualitative Info

      The information can be found in the Irish Statute Book and from the Equality Authority of Ireland and comes from the Equality Act 2000 and Employment Equality Act 1998. The Employment Equality Act forbids discrimination on 9 grounds; gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability.
       

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.irishstatutebook.ie, http://www.equality.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is there a definition of discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin and/or religion in national law in conformity with the EU Directives?

      The Equality Authority of Ireland outlines 9 grounds in which discrimination is illegal in the state, these are; gender, family status, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, race and membership of the traveller community. EU equality legislation forbids discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, all of which are covered in Irish law.

      Qualitative Info

      The 9 grounds for discrimination come from the Employment Equality Act of 1998 and can be read at www.dublinpact.ie/word/Equality-Legislation-IRL.docEU legislation is found in article 6 of the EU treaty and can be read at http://www.equal-check.eu/equality_lagislation_in_eu.php

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Sport
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.equalcheck.eu, http://www.irishstatutebook.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does the national law cover all grounds of discrimination as in the International Conventions and EU law or additional discrimination grounds?

      The national law covers all grounds in EU law.  In addition, the national law provides protection for civil status and family status.  It also provides separate protection for membership of the Traveller community.

      Qualitative Info

      The primary national legislation to combat discrimination is the following:  the Employment Equality Acts (EEA) 1998-2004 and the Equal Status Acts (ESA) 2000-2004. 

       

      A careful description of the grounds can be found in the PDF linked through the External URL.  A short paragraph of that document is quoted here:  "The EEA prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on the basis of: gender, family status, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, religious belief, race, and membership of the Traveller community. The ESA outlaws discrimination on the same grounds with regard to goods, services and education."

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education

      External Url http://www.flac.ie/download/pdf/090710_antidiscrimination_law_terms_of_reference_july_2010.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does nationality, citizenship serve as a ground for discrimination in access to public goods and services, employment and/or deprivation of economic and social rights?

      Generally nationality and citizenship is not grounds for discrimination in Ireland. However certain Irish language requirements in the civil service (e.g. Primary school teaching) serves as a barrier for non-nationals seeking employment. It is also alleged that migrant workers are significantly more likely to encounter discrimination while lookin for work.

      Qualitative Info

       

      Migrant Rights Center Ireland policy paper 2010 attempts to explore 'racism and how it is manifested towards migrant workers in Ireland.' In this paper it is claimed that Non-Irish nationals are three times more likely to experience discrimination while looking for work. When accessing some public services migrant workers must satisfy the ‘Habitual Residency Condition’ which is claimed disproportionately affects migrants. The Irish welfare office are primarily responsible for enforcing the Habitual Residencey Condition. http://www.welfare.ie/en/operationalguidelines/pages/habres.aspx.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people

      Type (R/D)

      • Nationalism
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.welfare.ie, http://www.mrci.ie/

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does statelessness serve as a ground for discrimination in access to public goods and services and/or deprivation of economic and social rights?

      Ireland is a signatory of the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, 1961. This convention allows signatories to ‘to elaborate the content of their nationality laws,’ though only ‘in compliance with international norms relating to nationality, including the principle that statelessness should be avoided.’ In the case of a stateless person the Minister will normally waive 2 of the 5 years' reckonable residence requiremed for naturalisation.

      Qualitative Info

      UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness 1961 http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/6_1_1961.pdf

      Details of Irish naturalisation procedure can be obtained fom http://www.citizensinformation.ie

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Asylum seekers

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.untreaty.un.org, www.citizensinformation.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin and/or religion is prohibited in all the areas provided for by the EU Directives?

      All factors relating to race, ethnic origin and religion in EU law are satisfied by the 9 grounds for discrimination forbidden in the Employment equality act 1998.

      Qualitative Info

      The Lisbon Treaty of 2009 generally prohibits ‘any discrimination based on any ground, such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.’ The 9 grounds for discrimination forbidden in irish law are: gender, family status, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, race and membership of the traveller community.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url www.dublinpact.ie/word/Equality-Legislation-IRL.doc

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are there specialised bodies/agencies/mechanisms which receive, handle/investigate complaints in discrimination cases?

      The two semi-state organisations that receive, handle, and investigate complaints of discrimination on the nine grounds defined in anti-discrimination legislation are the Equality Authority and the Equality Tribunal.  The Equality Authority advocates for a more equal society by providing information and support to those experiencing discrimination and by working to promote equal opportunities systemically.  The Equality Tribunal actually arbitrates complaints of discrimination.

      Qualitative Info

      About The Equality Authority (from their website - http://www.equality.ie)

      "The Equality Authority is an independent body set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998.  It was established on 18th October 1999.  The Equality Authority replaced the Employment Equality Agency, and has a greatly expanded role and functions.  The Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000 outlaw discrimination in employment, vocational training, advertising, collective agreements, the provision of goods and services and other opportunities to which the public generally have access on nine distinct grounds.

       

      These are:

      * gender;

      * civil status;

      * family status;

      * age;

      * disability;

      * race;

      * sexual orientation;

      * religious belief; and

      * membership of the Traveller Community."

       

      Mission Statement: "The Equality Authority seeks to achieve positive change in the situation and experience of those groups and individuals experiencing inequality by stimulating and supporting a commitment to equality:

       

      * Within the systems and practices of key organisations and institutions.

      * As part of the cultural values espoused by society.

      * As a dimension to individual attitudes and actions."

       

      About The Equality Tribunal:  (from their website - http://www.equalitytribunal.ie/)

      "The Equality Tribunal is the impartial forum to hear or mediate complaints of alleged discrimination under equality legislation.  It is independent and quasi-judicial and its decisions and mediated settlements are legally binding.  The equality legislation prohibits discrimination on 9 grounds - gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. 

       

      "Please note:  The relevant legislation is the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011, Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2011 and the Pensions Acts 1990 to 2009.

       

      "Our Mission [is to] contribute to a fairer society through providing a fair, accessible and impartial forum to remedy unlawful discrimination."

       

      "Our Mandate: The Employment Equality Act 1998, which established the Equality Tribunal, provides a statutory framework whereby we mediate and/or investigate claims of unlawful discrimination in accordance with the provisions of the Act.  Various legislative changes have occurred since our establishment and we now have a unique responsibility for mediating and investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination under the following legislation:

       

      * Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2011

      * Equal Status Acts 2000 -2011

      * Pensions Acts 1990-2009.

       

      "Our jurisdiction is wide ranging and includes complaints in relation to employment, occupational benefits e.g. pensions, and equal status, i.e. access to goods and provision of services, with two exceptions:

       

      * Claims in relation to registered clubs and licensed premises are dealt with by the District Court under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003;

       

      * Complainants in relation to employment discrimination on the gender ground have an option of seeking redress for unlawful discrimination from the Circuit Court.

       

      Our core work focuses on impartial resolution of discrimination disputes on the following grounds:

      ·   gender

      ·   civil status

      ·   family status

      ·   sexual orientation

      ·   religion

      ·   age

      ·   disability

      ·   race (including colour, nationality or national or ethnic origin)

      ·   membership of the Traveller community

       

      and in the following areas

      ·        all aspects of employment including recruitment and retirement benefits

      ·        access to accommodation and disposal of property

      ·        access to goods

      ·        provision of services, and certain aspects of education"

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.equalitytribunal.ie/About-Us/Frequently-Asked-Questions/

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are there mechanisms in place to collect data on racial discrimination in line with data protection legislation as an effective means of, monitoring and reviewing policies and practices to combat racial discrimination and promote racial equality?

      There is no longer a national mechanism in place to collect data on racial discrimination since the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism closed in December 2008. This data is collected solely by NGOs and the police force. The Central Statistics Office does however publish statistics on discrimination in its Quarterly National Household Survey on Equality.

      Qualitative Info

      Central Statistics Office's Quarterly Household Servey on Equality: http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/labourmarket/2010/qnhs_equalityq42010.pdf . The Immigrant Council of Ireland published Garda data (collated by the CSO) on numbers of yearly recorded racially motivated attackes in Dublin in its 2011 publication 'Taking Racism Seriously.'

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Health and social protection
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url www.cso.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does legislation provide for the possibility of adopting special/positive measures prevent or compensate for disadvantages linked to racial or ethnic origin in order to ensure full equality in practice?

      Working within an EU framework the legislation does allow for the possibility of special/positive action in so far as in EU law positive action is lawful whereas positive discrimination is not. There is also what is referred to as reasonable accommodation which primarily relates to people with disabilities and is compulsory in EU law. Irish law specifically allows for positive action in relation to gender, disability, membership of the Traveller community and for older workers over 50

      Qualitative Info

      “Positive Action in Politics – Lessons and Challenges from Employment Equality Law” Marion Jennings DIT;  “For positive action measures to be upheld by the ECJ they must be necessary to achieve a legitimate aim, proportionate to the aim they are pursuing and be objectively justified.”

      For information on Irelands Reasonable Accommodation policy see the National Disabilities Authority (NDA), http://www.nda.ie

      Guidelines for Employment Equality Policies in Enterprises: http://www.workahead.ie/downloads/Guideline_for_Employment_Equality_Policies_in_Enterprises.pdf

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Nationalism
      • On grounds of disability

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url www.politicalreform.ie, www.dit.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are special/positive measures for securing advancement and protection of certain racial or ethnic groups widely adopted and implemented?

      Though the possibility of positive action is provided for in Irish legislation, the only widespread program being implemented concerns members of the travelling community under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. The removal of the Irish language requirement for entering the police force can also be considered positive action.

      Qualitative Info

      The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998: Each major housing authority must adopt a 5 year program to provide Traveller accommodation in their area. The act also allows these authorities to provide loans to members of the travelling community.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/act/pub/0033/index.html

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is the State or are state representatives reported to engage in discriminatory acts or practices by independent authoritative sources?

      There is little/no independent data on state representatives and discriminatory behaviour. However, On 22 November 2011, there was a high profile incident wherein Darren Scully, the mayor of Naas, Co. Kildare, stated his intention to no longer represent ‘black African’ constituents

      Qualitative Info

      The incident was reported in all major media outlets and resulted in Darren Scully resigning from his post. In December 2011, Mr. Willie O’Callaghan of Fianna Fáil was elected as the new Mayor of Naas

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Nationalism
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1122/breaking30.html

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is legal support for victims available from public agencies/bodies? Is there access for victims to assistance and justice?

      The Equality Authority, a public body, provides legal support for victims of discrimination on a strategic enforcement basis.  Victims can access information and legal support from the Equality Authority.  They can access redress mechanisms through the Equality Tribunal, a quasi-judicial public body.

      Qualitative Info

      About The Equality Authority (from their website - http://www.equality.ie)

      "The Equality Authority is an independent body set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998.  It was established on 18th October 1999.  The Equality Authority replaced the Employment Equality Agency, and has a greatly expanded role and functions.  The Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000 outlaw discrimination in employment, vocational training, advertising, collective agreements, the provision of goods and services and other opportunities to which the public generally have access on nine distinct grounds.

       

      These are:

      * gender;

      * civil status;

      * family status;

      * age;

      * disability;

      * race;

      * sexual orientation;

      * religious belief; and

      * membership of the Traveller Community."

       

      Mission Statement: "The Equality Authority seeks to achieve positive change in the situation and experience of those groups and individuals experiencing inequality by stimulating and supporting a commitment to equality:

       

      * Within the systems and practices of key organisations and institutions.

      * As part of the cultural values espoused by society.

      * As a dimension to individual attitudes and actions."

       

      About The Equality Tribunal:  (from their website - http://www.equalitytribunal.ie/)

      "The Equality Tribunal is the impartial forum to hear or mediate complaints of alleged discrimination under equality legislation.  It is independent and quasi-judicial and its decisions and mediated settlements are legally binding.  The equality legislation prohibits discrimination on 9 grounds - gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. 

       

      "Please note:  The relevant legislation is the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011, Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2011 and the Pensions Acts 1990 to 2009.

       

      "Our Mission [is to] contribute to a fairer society through providing a fair, accessible and impartial forum to remedy unlawful discrimination."

       

      "Our Mandate: The Employment Equality Act 1998, which established the Equality Tribunal, provides a statutory framework whereby we mediate and/or investigate claims of unlawful discrimination in accordance with the provisions of the Act.  Various legislative changes have occurred since our establishment and we now have a unique responsibility for mediating and investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination under the following legislation:

       

      * Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2011

      * Equal Status Acts 2000 -2011

      * Pensions Acts 1990-2009.

       

      "Our jurisdiction is wide ranging and includes complaints in relation to employment, occupational benefits e.g. pensions, and equal status, i.e. access to goods and provision of services, with two exceptions:

       

      * Claims in relation to registered clubs and licensed premises are dealt with by the District Court under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003;

       

      * Complainants in relation to employment discrimination on the gender ground have an option of seeking redress for unlawful discrimination from the Circuit Court.

       

      Our core work focuses on impartial resolution of discrimination disputes on the following grounds:

      ·   gender

      ·   civil status

      ·   family status

      ·   sexual orientation

      ·   religion

      ·   age

      ·   disability

      ·   race (including colour, nationality or national or ethnic origin)

      ·   membership of the Traveller community

       

      and in the following areas

      ·        all aspects of employment including recruitment and retirement benefits

      ·        access to accommodation and disposal of property

      ·        access to goods

      ·        provision of services, and certain aspects of education"

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.equalitytribunal.ie/About-Us/Frequently-Asked-Questions/

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does the law foresee the shift of the burden of proof in civil / administrative procedures? Are there problems of implementation reported by independent authoritative sources?

      Though the onus of proof lies with the plaintiff in constitutional actions, there is provision for the shifting of the burden of proof in discrimination cases. In 1997 a council directive on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases was issued.. There has been some precedence’s applying this to other discrimination cases since. A report by EUMC found that to fully conform with EU directive on the subject amendments need to be made.

      Qualitative Info

      The European Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia commissioned a report on ‘Anti-discrimination Legislation in EU Member States.’ Irelands section can be read here http://www.pedz.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-b/ebr/02/ART13_Ireland-en.pdf

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism

      External Url http://www.pedz.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-b/ebr/02/ART13_Ireland-en.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Can associations, organisations or other legal entities, who have a legitimate interest, engage, either on behalf or in support of the complainant, with his or her approval, in any judicial and/or administrative procedure concerning discrimination?

      Yes, in theory, through Independent law centres such as Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Irish Refugee Council though they can only engage in matters relating to immigration. The only independent law centre that deals directly with discrimination is the Irish Traveller Movement.

      Qualitative Info

       http://www.itmtrav.ie/keyissues/legalunit The legal department of the Irish Traveller Movement

      http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/ Immigrant Council of Ireland

      http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/ Irish Refugee Council

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.itmtrav.ie/

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is class action or actio popularis possible? (court claims or action in the name of a group)

      Class action is not on the Irish Statute Book, in order to take a case there must be a single, named victim. Though the Law Reform Commission recommended the introduction of multi party litigation in 2005, it still remains the case that Ireland does not allow for class action suits.

      Qualitative Info

      The Law Reform Commissions report on multi party litigation can be read at http://www.lawreform.ie/2005/report-on-multi-party-litigation.228.html

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url www.lawreform.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are sanctions foreseen/provided by anti-discrimination legislation?

      Sanctions are provided in anti-discrimination legislature. The Equal Status Act 2000 provides a sanction of removal of liquor licence against clubs found to be discriminating against members or applicants for membership. Penalties are also outlined in the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.

      Qualitative Info

      Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989:

      A person guilty of an offence under section 2 , 3 or 4 shall be liable—

      (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

      (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url www.irishstatutebook.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is there provision within anti-discrimination legislation/practice forfinancial compensation/restitution of rights and are these applied in practice?

      A person guilty of an offence the Prohibition of Incitement of Hatred act 1989 shall be liable (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both

      Qualitative Info

      The full act can be read at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/act/pub/0019/print.html#sec6

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence
      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Daily life

      External Url www.irishstatutebook.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are there any problems concerning the implementation of national legislation prohibiting discrimination?

      Indeed, several; the Equality Authority takes only test cases, migrants may choose not to participate in a case if it can jeopardise an application (residency, social housing, etc.) Additionally “Civil legal aid is seriously underfunded, operates an impossibly low means test threshold, confines itself almost exclusively to family law cases and is legally barred from taking test cases.” (Mel Cousins 2011)

      Qualitative Info

      http://www.equality.ie

      Using Law and Litigation in the Public Interest Michael Farrell, Solicitor, FLAC: http://www.flac.ie/download/pdf/mfarrell_flac_061005.pdf

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.flac.ie/download/pdf/mfarrell_flac_061005.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Has there been a thorough evaluation/assessment of the effectiveness of the national implementation of EU Anti-discrimination Directives?

      There has been a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the national implementation of EU anti-discrimination directives conducted by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia in 2002.

       

      Qualitative Info

      The report was compiled by Dave Ellis under the guidance of the Migration Policy Group, Irelands section can be read here http://www.pedz.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-b/ebr/02/ART13_Ireland-en.pdf

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of disability
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.pedz.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-b/ebr/02/ART13_Ireland-en.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
  • Policing - Law Enforcement - Justice

    Ethnic Profiling: There is no official or overt sanctioning of ethnic profiling by the authorities in Ireland, but some evidence exists that it occurs. For more information please see the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland report 'Singled Out'

  • Employment

    There are differential unemployment rates among immigrants in Ireland. Non-Irish nationals have an unemployment rate of 16.1 % where as the figure is 12.7 % Non-Irish nationals however, non-nationals have a 0.9% higher employment rate than Irish nationals. (As of May 4, 2010)

    • Differential unemployment levels/rates of migrants?

      There are differential unemployment rates among immigrants in Ireland. Non-Irish nationals have an unemployment rate of 16.1 % where as the figure is 12.7 % Non-Irish nationals however, non-nationals have a 0.9% higher employment rate than Irish nationals. (As of May 4, 2010)

      Qualitative Info

      “In the first quarter of 2010 the employment rate for non-Irish nationals was 61 per cent in comparison to 60.1 per cent for Irish nationals. The unemployment rate for the labour force as a whole was 13.1 per cent. The unemployment rate for non-Irish nationals, at 16.1 per cent, was considerably higher than that of Irish nationals, at 12.7 per cent.”- Annual Monitoring Report on Integration 2010

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Nationalism
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.emn.ie/files/p_201105051222442011_AnnualMonitoringReportIntegration_ESRI_IntegrationCentre.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Differential unemployment levels/rates of minorities?

      There are no statistics for minority employment as the statistics available only take in to account nationality and not membership of specific ethnic or religious groups. The unemployment rates when sorted into nationalities do show differential unemployment levels however.

      Qualitative Info

      The unemployment rates divided by nationality are as follows (‘000’s):

      ·        Irish nationals: 268.9

      ·        Non-Irish nationals: 45.8

      ·        United Kingdom: 9.5

      ·        EU15 excl. Irl. & UK: 1.3

      ·         EU15 to EU27 States: 24.7

      ·         Other:10.3

      -From the Quarterly National Household Survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office (2011, q3)

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/labourmarket/2011/qnhs_q32011.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Differential pay rates?

      Data shown in the Integration Authority’s ‘Annual Monitoring Report on Integration 2010’ reveals differential pay rates between Irish nationals and non-nationals. With non-nationals earning less than their Irish counterparts, on average. The report also found that immigrants from English speaking countries pay rates are roughly equivalent to Irish nationals.

      Qualitative Info

      Table 6.13 Gross weekly wage for those who work more than 30 hours a week by place of birth

                                                            €

      Irish

      801

      Non-Irish

      of which:

      709*

      UK

      857

      EU13

      796

      EU12

      534*

      Settler Countries

      751

      Asia and

      Middle East

      718*

      Africa

      875

       

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.esri.ie/publications/latest_publications/view/index.xml?id=3235

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Legal restrictions and/or effective practices of exclusion of migrants regarding membership of and participation in trade unions

      There are no official legal restrictions or effective practices of exclusion for immigrants joining trade unions

      Qualitative Info

      In 2010, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) published a strategy called; ‘Towards a Strategy for the Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Trade Unions.’ It can be read in full herehttp://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/ictu_migrant_workers_a5.pdf

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion

      External Url http://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/ictu_migrant_workers_a5.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Legal obstacles to access employment in the public sector under equal conditions for migrants

      Certain Irish language requirements in the civil service (e.g. Primary school teaching, librarian positions) serves as a barrier for non-nationals seeking employment. The Irish language restrictions for lawyers, secondary school teachers, and the gardai have been removed.

      Qualitative Info

      “Proficiency in Irish: Within the public sector, there are a number of areas where competence in Irish is required such as for Primary school teaching, and librarian positions. Until recently Irish was also a requirement for An Garda Síochána, although this was amended to facilitate greater diversity. While Irish is now a requirement for a very limited range of jobs in the public service, the misperception amongst some immigrants, and indeed amongst Irish that it is a requirement for a broad range of roles represents a barrier.”

      -‘Issues and Challenges in the Recruitment and Selection of Immigrant Workers in Ireland’ Prepared for the Employers’ Diversity Network of the Public Appointments Service

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url www.integration.ie

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Legal restrictions and/or effective practices of exclusion of minorities regarding membership of and participation in trade unions

      There are no official legal restrictions or effective practices of exclusion for immigrants joining trade unions

      Qualitative Info

      In 2010, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) published a strategy called; ‘Towards a Strategy for the Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Trade Unions.’ It can be read in full here

       

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-migrant/xenophobia
      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Afrophobia
      • Arabophobia
      • Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia
      • Xenophobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/ictu_migrant_workers_a5.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are there examples of good practices and positive initiatives against discrimination/racism at the workplace?

      There are examples of good practices and positive initiatives against work place discrimination. In 2010, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) published a strategy called; ‘Towards a Strategy for the Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Trade Unions,’ a section of this document is dedicated to describing examples of good practice in dealing with difficulties experienced by migrants. 

       

       

      Qualitative Info

      Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)- ‘Towards a Strategy for the Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Trade Unions,’

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Majority
      • Africans/black people

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/ictu_migrant_workers_a5.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
  • Housing & Segregation

    Evidence and analysis from the Irish census of 2010 may provide a clearer picture of the dispersal or integration of migrant communities among the majority population. To date, this information is not available and initial evidence suggests that while there are areas that have a larger migrant population (Dublin the capital city for example, and certain particular areas of Dublin) there does not seem to be any suggestion that this concentration amounts to segregation.

  • Education

    The Travelling community in Ireland is the primary ethnic group to which enrolment and attainment is a concern. “STEP found that the average attendance rate by Traveller children is approximately 80 per cent” (the national average being around 100%). The policy of overcrowded schools preferring applicants with a family history at the school also disproportionately affects Travellers.

    • Practical obstacles and evidence of problems and differential enrollment rates for certain minorities?

      The Travelling community in Ireland is the primary ethnic group to which enrolment and attainment is a concern. “STEP found that the average attendance rate by Traveller children is approximately 80 per cent” (the national average being around 100%). The policy of overcrowded schools preferring applicants with a family history at the school also disproportionately affects Travellers.

      Qualitative Info

      “the STEP survey suggest that more than 60 per cent of Traveller pupils are below the 20th percentile in English reading and in mathematics, while 2 per cent are in the top (80-100) quintile”

      “Difficulties are still being encountered by some Traveller parents in enrolling their children in certain primary schools, despite the fact that section (2) of the Education Act (1998) requires that “the school plan shall state the objectives of the school relating to equality of access to, and participation in, the school and the measures which the school proposes to take to achieve those objectives...””


      Source:

      Groups affected/interested

      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/traveller_ed_strat.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Practical obstacles and evidence of problems and differential enrollment rates for migrants?

      A report by the economic and social research institute; ‘Adapting to Diversity: Irish Schools and Newcomer Students,’ found no significant obstacles or differential enrollment rates for migrants in Ireland.

      Qualitative Info

      Adapting to Diversity: Irish Schools and Newcomer Students:

      ·         “80% of schools take all students who apply for enrolment. For the 20% which do not, it is because they are over-subscribed and must employ selection procedures, such as requiring an older sibling to be/ have been a student in the school. Such procedures can discriminate against all those who are new to an area, regardless of nationality.”

      ·        “all children resident in Ireland have a right to free education, regardless of their immigration status”

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.esri.ie/UserFiles/publications/20090529124035/RS008.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Poorer educational performance by certain groups?

      The Travelling community in Ireland is the primary ethnic group to which enrolment and attainment is a concern. “The STEP survey suggest that more than 60 per cent of Traveller pupils are below the 20th percentile in English reading and in mathematics, while 2 per cent are in the top (80-100) quintile”

      Qualitative Info

      ‘Report and Recommendations for Traveller Education Strategy’ (2005) http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_recom_traveller_educ_strategy.pdf

      Groups affected/interested

      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_recom_traveller_educ_strategy.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Problems with educational attainement by certain groups (drop out - fragmentation of educational experience)?

      The Irish Travelling community experiences the most difficulty in accessing education in Ireland due to a nomadic lifestyle and a history of state discrimination.

      “By the age of sixteen most young Travellers have left mainstream post-primary education, with only a small minority progressing to the senior cycle.”

      Qualitative Info

      “In 2004/05 approximately 1,850 Traveller pupils were enrolled in post-primary schools. Most Traveller pupils remain in post-primary schools for one to three years, and the majority of these are participating in the junior cycle. By the age of sixteen most young Travellers have left mainstream post-primary education, with only a small minority progressing to the senior cycle.”

      -‘Report and Recommendations for Traveller Education Strategy’ (2005)

      Groups affected/interested

      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_recom_traveller_educ_strategy.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Are there positive initiatives to improve/support poor educational provision for migrant and minority groups?

      Some examples of positive initiatives regarding education, immigrants and minorities are: The National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2001-2003 and 2003-2005, which sets the principal education targets for Traveller education, and the ‘Intercultural Education Strategy, 2010- 2015.’

      Qualitative Info

      ‘Intercultural Education Strategy, 2010- 2015’ Aims:

      ·        “respect the diversity of values, beliefs, languages and traditions in Irish society and is conducted in a spirit of partnership” (Education Act, 1998).

      ·        Ensure all education providers are assisted with ensuring that inclusion and integration within an intercultural learning environment become the norm.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_recom_traveller_educ_strategy.pdf http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/mig_intercultural_education_strategy.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Victimisation in schools (bullying/harassment/racist violence) ?

      According to the Anti-bulling Centre at Trinity College Dublin, 31% of Primary Students and 16% of Secondary Students have been bullied at some time in Ireland.

      Qualitative Info

      “The Nationwide Study of Bullying in Irish first and second level schools conducted by Dr Mona O'Moore in Trinity College Dublin indicates that some 31% of Primary Students and 16% of Secondary Students have been bullied at some time. From our circa 870,000 school going population, approximately 23% or 200,000 children are at risk of suffering the ill effects of bullying”

      -Anti-bullying Centre, TCD

       

      “Traveller children are constantly aware that their identity may pose a problem for them in school, whether in their relations with teachers or among their settled peers. Lack of validation of identity often reinforces Traveller children’s inclination to hide their identity in order to fit in and also to avoid discrimination, bullying, or harassment.”

      -‘Report and Recommendations for Traveller Education Strategy’ (2005)

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://abc.tcd.ie/school.html http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_recom_traveller_educ_strategy.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Provision of option to learn mother language other than the majority's

      In a survey assessing schools integration policies, The Economic and Social Research Institute fond that in Ireland:

       “More than half of schools mentioned language support teachers, resource teachers, learning support teachers or subject teachers.”

      -Adapting to Diversity: Irish Schools and Newcomer Students (2009)

       

      Qualitative Info

      “Current language support practices vary widely and do not always reflect international best practice. The need to provide the necessary language skills for children whose mother tongue is neither Irish nor English and the question of appropriate mother tongue support for the children of newcomers have been highlighted as issues by the National Council of Curriculum and Assessment (see Little, 2003) and by the report by Council of Europe and DES (2007). International research has indicated the importance of mother tongue”

      - The Economic and Social Research Institute

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.esri.ie/UserFiles/publications/20090529124035/RS008.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Evidence of school segregation and/or policies of separate/distinct schooling of migrants

      There is little evidence that school segregation and/or policies of separate/distinct schooling of migrants in Ireland though there is concern regarding the fact that the vast majority of schools in Ireland are run by Catholic groups. This has been highlighted in the UN’s ‘Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’ report on Ireland.

      Qualitative Info

      “The Committee, noting that almost all primary schools are run by Catholic groups and that non-denominational or multidenominational schools represent less than 1 per cent of the total number of primary education facilities, is concerned that existing laws and practice would favour Catholic pupils in the admission to Catholic schools in case of shortage of places, particularly in the light of the limited alternatives available” –UNCHR, CERD

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/%28Symbol%29/CERD.C.IRL.CO.2.En?Opendocument

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Evidence of school segregation and/or policies of separate/distinct schooling of minorities

      Segregation of minorities in education is not a feature of modern Ireland though the Travelling Community was subjected to it in previous decades.

       “Into the 1990s Travellers were often educated through segregated provision. Over the last decade this segregated approach has mainly been abandoned in favour of age-appropriate, integrated and inclusive provision.”

      -‘Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy’ (2005)

      Qualitative Info

      “The 2002 census found that almost two-thirds of the 7,000 Travellers who gave the age at which their fulltime education ceased had left before the then statutory minimum age of fifteen, compared with 15 per cent for the population as a whole. Historically, Travellers were often marginalised in the education system. Into the 1990s Travellers were often educated through segregated provision. Over the last decade this segregated approach has mainly been abandoned in favour of age-appropriate, integrated and inclusive provision.”

      -‘Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy’ (2005)

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Employment - labour market
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      See other countriesSee indicator history
  • Health And Social Protection

    The significant barriers to migrants access to social protection are 1) legal status and 2) Satisfying the Habitual Residency Condition.

  • Political & Civic Participation

    In general, non-Irish nationals may only vote in certain elections (local and/or EU) and are excluded from every national election and referendum.

    • Outreach - encourage participation - Practical obstacles or problems for migrants in exercising their right to vote

      Evidence exists of naturalised Irish nationals who are from a migrant background being overlooked at election time by campaigners.

      Qualitative Info

      The Immigrant Council of Ireland launched a campaign in 2011 to highlight the situation of naturalised Irish nationals who are from a  migrant background being overlooked at the time of a national election by campaigners and candidates. The campaign, entitled 'Count Us In' highlighted that the main Irish political parties were at risk of loseing out on a significant number of votes if they did not recognise and address the needs of this demographic. In turn, migrants who had acquired Irish citizenship expressed severe disenfranchisement with the electoral system as they felt that their vote did not count. Further information is available here: http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/integration/political-integration

      Information on the 'Count Us In' campaign on the 'Cities of Migration' website: http://citiesofmigration.ca/good_idea/count-us-in/

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      See other countriesSee indicator history
  • Public Life, Culture, Sport & Media

    Self-identification is not a criterion for minority, ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious groups' right to recognition by the Irish government. This is evident from  its first report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in 2004. Here the Irish government refused to recognize Travelers as a distinct ethnic group despite their self-identification as such (census).

    • Is self-identification of individuals/groups a criterion for recognition and respect of minority or ethnic cultural linguistic religious groups' rights by the state/government?

      Self-identification is not a criterion for minority, ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious groups' right to recognition by the Irish government. This is evident from  its first report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in 2004. Here the Irish government refused to recognize Travelers as a distinct ethnic group despite their self-identification as such (census).

      Qualitative Info

      “In regard to the scope of the Report it should be noted that Irish Travellers do not constitute a distinct group from the population as a whole in terms of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.”

      -From the report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), 2004

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Religious intolerance
      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism
      • Homophobia
      • On grounds of other belief
      • Anti-roma/ romaphobia

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Policing - law enforcement
      • Employment - labour market
      • Housing
      • Health and social protection
      • Education
      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.itmtrav.ie/keyissues/myview/122

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Association: are there restrictions of the freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association for migrants

      No, no restrictions of this nature exist either in practice or legislation in Ireland.

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Association: are there restrictions of the of the freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association for minorities

      No, no restrictions of this nature exist either in practice or legislation in Ireland.

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Religion: Persons belonging to minorities face legal and practical obstacles in exercising or manifesting their religion or belief?

      The right to freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Irish constitution. A US Department of State report on religious freedom in 2010 found; “no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.” http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168317.htm

      Qualitative Info

      “The Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) guarantees your freedom in Ireland to practice your religion and your freedom of conscience. The state guarantees not to endow or favour any religion and not to discriminate on the grounds of religion.

      State aid for schools cannot discriminate between schools of different religious denominations. Every child has the right to attend a denominational school receiving State funding without having to participate in religious instruction in the school.

      Your right to religious liberty may be limited to protect public order and morality.

      The right of citizens to religious liberty in Ireland is set down in Article 44 of the Constitution.” http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/irish_constitution_1/religious_liberty.html

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Anti-semitism
      • Islamophobia
      • Religious intolerance
      • On grounds of other belief

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Culture
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/attached_files/Pdf%20files/Constitution%20of%20IrelandNov2004.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Media: Are there positive measures for promoting or restrictions for Migrant and minority media?

      The national broadcaster, RTÉ, is obliged by its remit to refrain from bias and reflect regional, cultural and political diversity of Ireland. It is also compelled by the Broadcasting Act 2001 to ‘relflect the cultural diversity of Ireland.’

      Qualitative Info

      Public Service Remit: “RTÉ, as the national public service broadcaster, shall reflect the democratic, social and cultural values of Irish society and the need to preserve media pluralism RTÉ shall, at all times, strive to reflect fairly and equally the regional, cultural and political diversity of Ireland and its peoples no editorial or programming bias shall be shown in terms of gender, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religion or membership of a minority community”           

      Broadcasting Act, 2001: “provide a comprehensive range of programmes in the Irish and English languages that reflect the cultural diversity of the whole island of Ireland and include, both on television and radio (and also, where appropriate, any means of transmission referred to in section 16(2)(bbb) (inserted by this Act) of the Act of 1960) programmes that entertain, inform and educate, provide coverage of sporting, religious and cultural activities and cater for the expectations of the community generally as well as members of the community with special or minority interests and which, in every case, respect human dignity.”

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Culture
      • Media
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life
      • Religion

      External Url http://www.rte.ie/about/organisation/psb.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Media: Are there positive measures for promoting or restrictions for minority and lesser used language in the media?

      The national broadcaster, RTÉ, is obliged by its remit to support the Irish language. There is no provision in its remit or in legislation regarding non-native languages.

      Qualitative Info

      Public Service Broadcasting Charter: “in reflecting the bilingual nature of Irish society, RTÉ shall actively support the use of the Irish language in everyday life through the production of suitable programming."

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Majority
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Culture
      • Media
      • Internet
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.rte.ie/about/organisation/psb.pdf

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Sport: Effective participation of migrants in sport

      In May 2008 the Office of the Minister for Integration published a statement entitled ‘Migration Nation, a statement on integration strategy and diversity management’ which, in part, deals with participation of migrants in sport and assesses strategies for further integration.

      Qualitative Info

      Extract from, ‘Migration Nation’-

      “While a number of migrants do participate in cultural, sporting and

      political aspects of Irish society and many communities have staged

      cultural and sporting events designed to celebrate the arrival of

      different communities and diversity in Irish society, there is scope

      to further increase participation by migrants in all of these aspects

      of life. The point has been well made that activities in these areas

      can play a major part in encouraging integration, especially at

      local level.”

      “Discussions have taken place with the larger sporting bodies most

      directly engaged with migrants about their plans for the future in

      encouraging participation of migrants in their activities. The bodies

      have drawn up, or are in the course of doing so, detailed

      programmes for integration.”

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Africans/black people

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Culture
      • Sport
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.integration.ie/website/omi/omiwebv6.nsf/page/AXBN-7SQDF91044205-en/$File/Migration%20Nation.PDF

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Sport: Effective participation of minorities in sport

      The Irish Government tend to classify people in terms of nationality rather than ethnic status so specifics on minorities in sport are hard to come by, however, in May 2008 the Office of the Minister for Integration published a statement entitled ‘Migration Nation, which, in part, deals with participation of migrants in sport and assesses strategies for further integration. In Ireland many of the minority groups are made up of first or second generation immigrants.

      Qualitative Info

      Extract from, ‘Migration Nation’-

      “While a number of migrants do participate in cultural, sporting and

      political aspects of Irish society and many communities have staged

      cultural and sporting events designed to celebrate the arrival of

      different communities and diversity in Irish society, there is scope

      to further increase participation by migrants in all of these aspects

      of life. The point has been well made that activities in these areas

      can play a major part in encouraging integration, especially at

      local level.”

      “Discussions have taken place with the larger sporting bodies most

      directly engaged with migrants about their plans for the future in

      encouraging participation of migrants in their activities. The bodies

      have drawn up, or are in the course of doing so, detailed

      programmes for integration.”

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers
      • Muslims
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Linguistic minorities
      • Majority
      • Asylum seekers
      • Persons with disability
      • Africans/black people
      • National minorities

      Type (R/D)

      • Inter-ethnic
      • Intra-ethnic
      • Nationalism

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Culture
      • Media
      • Sport
      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Political participation
      • Anti-discrimination
      • Anti-racism
      • Integration - social cohesion
      • Daily life

      External Url http://www.integration.ie/website/omi/omiwebv6.nsf/page/AXBN-7SQDF91044205-en/$File/Migration%20Nation.PDF

      See other countriesSee indicator history