(LRC Revised)

Number 8 of 2000

EQUAL STATUS ACT 2000

REVISED

Updated to 29 July 2021

Changes to legislation

as of 10 July 2026, this Act is up to date with all changes known to be in force.

This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the

Equal Status Act 2000

. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under

the

Law Reform Commission Act 1975

(3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation

of statute law.

All Acts up to and including the

Climate Action and Low Carbon

Development (Amendment) Act 2021

(32/2021), enacted 23 July 2021, and all

statutory instruments up to and including the

Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous

Provisions) Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021

(S.I. No. 397 of 2021), made 28

July 2021, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act,

the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees,

undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature

of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from

any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email

to

revisedacts@lawreform.ie.

Number

8

of

2000

EQUAL STATUS ACT 2000

REVISED

Updated to 29 July 2021

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary

Section

1.

Short title.

2.

Interpretation.

3.

Discrimination (general).

4.

Discrimination on ground of disability.

PART II

Discrimination and Related Activities

5.

Disposal of goods and provision of services.

6.

Disposal of premises and provision of accommodation.

7.

Educational establishments.

7A.

Recognised primary schools.

8.

Discriminating clubs.

9.

Non-discriminating clubs.

10.

Further provision in relation to discriminating clubs.

11.

Sexual and other harassment.

12.

Prohibited advertising.

13.

Procurement of prohibited conduct.

14.

Certain measures or activities not prohibited.

15.

Certain activities not discrimination.

16.

Other non-discriminatory activities.

17.

Regulations relating to vehicle equipment.

18.

Regulations relating to station equipment.

19.

Provision of kerb ramps, etc.

PART III

Enforcement

20.

Definitions.

21.

Redress in respect of prohibited conduct.

21A.

Date of claim for redress, etc.

22.

Dismissal of claims.

23.

References of certain matters to [Director of the Workplace Relations Commission].

24.

Mediation.

25.

Investigation by [Director of the Workplace Relations Commission].

25A.

Representation in proceedings under section 24 or 25.

26.

Inferences from failure to supply information, etc.

27.

Redress which may be ordered.

28.

Appeal against decision of [Director of the Workplace Relations Commission].

29.

Form and contents of decision.

30.

Supply and publication of decision.

31.

Enforcement of decisions and mediated settlements.

32.

Additional powers of Circuit Court on enforcement.

33.

Powers to enter premises, obtain information, etc.

34.

Requirement to provide information.

35.

Failure to supply documents, information, etc.

36.

Supplementary provisions as to information.

37.

Obstruction of [Director of the Workplace Relations Commission], etc.

37A.

Award of expenses.

38.

Dismissal of cases not pursued.

38A.

Burden of proof.

PART IV

Equality Authority

39.

Additional functions of Authority.

PART V

General

40.

Expenses.

41.

Regulations.

42.

Vicarious liability.

43.

Offences generally.

44.

Offence-related provisions.

45.

Court jurisdiction.

46.

Application of Act.

47.

Amendment of Employment Equality Act, 1998.

48.

Commencement.

SCHEDULE

Amendment of Employment Equality Act, 1998

Acts Referred to

Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974

1974, No. 15

Child Care Act, 1991

1991, No. 17

Courts Act, 1981

1981, No. 11

Education Act, 1998

1998, No. 51

Employment Equality Act, 1977

1977, No. 16

Employment Equality Act, 1998

1998, No. 21

Housing Acts, 1966 to 1998

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992

1992, No. 18

Licensing Acts, 1833 to 1999

Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851

14 & 15 Vict., c.9

Refugee Act, 1996

1996, No. 17

Registration of Clubs Acts, 1904 to 1999

Road Transport Act, 1932

1932, No. 2

Road Transport Act, 1933

1933, No. 8

Roads Act, 1993

1993, No. 14

Transport Act, 1958

1958, No. 19

Worker Protection (Regular Part-Time Employees) Act, 1991

1991, No. 5

Number

8

of

2000

EQUAL STATUS ACT 2000

REVISED

Updated to 29 July 2021

AN ACT TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND PROHIBIT TYPES OF DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND RELATED

BEHAVIOUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, PROPERTY AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

TO WHICH THE PUBLIC GENERALLY OR A SECTION OF THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS, TO PROVIDE FOR

INVESTIGATING AND REMEDYING CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION AND OTHER UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES,

TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION BY THE EQUALITY AUTHORITY OF VARIOUS MATTERS PERTAINING

TO THIS ACT, TO AMEND THE EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY ACT, 1998, IN RELATION THERETO AND IN

CERTAIN OTHER RESPECTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [26

th April

, 2000]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text)

C1

Functions transferred

and references construed (14.10.2020) by

Disability, Equality, Human

Rights, Integration and Reception (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020

(S.I. No. 436 of

2020), arts. 2, 3(1)(a), (3) and sch., in effect as per art. 1(2), subject

to transitional provisions in arts. 4-8.

Note change of name of Department

and title of Minister to Department of and Minister for Children, Equality,

Disability, Integration and Youth made (15.10.2020) by

Children and Youth

Affairs (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020

(S.I. No. 437 of 2020), in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration

and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of

any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of

Children and Youth Affairs.

(2) References to the

Department of Justice and Equality contained in any Act or instrument made

under such Act and relating to any administration and business transferred

by paragraph (1) of this Article shall, on and after the commencement of

this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Children and

Youth Affairs.

3. (1) The functions vested

in the Minister for Justice and Equality -

(a) by or under the

enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

...

are transferred to the

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

...

(3) References to the

Minister for Justice and Equality contained in any Act or instrument made

under such Act, and relating to any functions transferred by this Article

shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as

references to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

SCHEDULE 1

Article 3(1)(a)

Enactments, functions by

or under which are transferred from the Minister for Justice and Equality to

the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

...

Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018,

other than section 14(1)(aa)(ii) (inserted by Part 3 of the Equality Act 2004 (No.

24 of 2004)) of the Equal Status Act 2000 (No. 8 of 2000)

...

C2

Application of Act restricted (29.09.2003) by

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003

(31/2003), s. 19(11), S.I. No. 362 of 2003, reg. 3.

Jurisdiction of District Court in cases of prohibited conduct on licensed premises.

19.

— ...

(11) (a) The Act of 2000 shall cease to apply in relation to prohibited conduct occurring

on, or at the point of entry to, licensed premises on or after the commencement of

this section.

(b) Claims relating to prohibited conduct so occurring before such commencement shall

be dealt with as if this Act had not been passed.

C3

Application of Act potentially restricted by

Employment Equality Act 1998

(21/1998), s. 82(8) as inserted (18.07.2004) by

Equality Act 2004

(24/2004), s. 36, commenced on enactment.

Redress which may be ordered.

36.

— ...

(8) Where an act constitutes victimisation under both this Act and the Equal Status

Act 2000, redress may be provided under only one of them.

C4

Application of Act potentially restricted by

Pensions Act 1990

(25/1990), s. 81H(7) as inserted (5.04.2004) by

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004

(9/2004), s. 22, S.I. No. 141 of 2004.

Redress which may be ordered.

81H.

— ...

(7) Where an act constitutes victimisation both under this Part and the Employment

Equality Act 1998 or the Equal Status Act 2000, redress may be provided under only

one of them.

Editorial Notes

E1

Act included in definition of “relevant enactment” (1.08.2015) by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 2, S.I. No. 338 of 2015, with the following effects

• Powers of inspectors for purposes relevant enactments defined in

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 27.

• Workplace Relations Commission, an inspector or an adjudication officer authorised

to disclose employer’s registered number or employee’s PPSN to enable Labour Court to perform functions under relevant enactments by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015) s. 31(5).

• Power of Workplace Relations Commission and official body to disclose information

to each other concerning the commission of offence under relevant enactment provided

by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 32.

• Power of Workplace Relations Commission and contracting authority to disclose information

to each other concerning the commission of offence under employment enactment/ relevant

enactment provided by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 33.

• Powers of Minister to prosecute under relevant enactments transferred to Workplace

Relations Commission and references construed by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 37.

E2

Power granted to Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to prepare draft codes

of practice regarding the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to those

matters to which the Act applies (1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 31(1)(d), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E3

Obligation imposed on Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to provide information

to the public and keep under review the effectiveness of the working of the collectively

cited

Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012

(1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 30(1)(b)(ii), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E4

Codes of Practice in respect of promotion of equality of opportunity in relation

to matters to which Act applies provided for (1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 21(1)(d), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E5

Previous affecting provision: departmental administrative and

ministerial functions under Act other than under ss. 6(7)(a) and 14(aa)(ii)

transferred from Department of and Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht

Affairs to Department of and Minister for Justice and Law Reform (1.04.2011) by

Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011

(S.I. No. 139 of

2011); superseded as per C-note above.

E6

Previous affecting provision: departmental administrative and

ministerial functions under Act other than under ss. 6(7)(a) and 14(aa)(ii)

transferred from Department of and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

to Department and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (1.06.2010)

by

Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2010

(S.I. No. 217 of

2010); superseded as per E-note above.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text)

C1

Functions transferred

and references construed (14.10.2020) by

Disability, Equality, Human

Rights, Integration and Reception (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020

(S.I. No. 436 of

2020), arts. 2, 3(1)(a), (3) and sch., in effect as per art. 1(2), subject

to transitional provisions in arts. 4-8.

Note change of name of Department

and title of Minister to Department of and Minister for Children, Equality,

Disability, Integration and Youth made (15.10.2020) by

Children and Youth

Affairs (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020

(S.I. No. 437 of 2020), in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration

and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of

any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of

Children and Youth Affairs.

(2) References to the

Department of Justice and Equality contained in any Act or instrument made

under such Act and relating to any administration and business transferred

by paragraph (1) of this Article shall, on and after the commencement of

this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Children and

Youth Affairs.

3. (1) The functions vested

in the Minister for Justice and Equality -

(a) by or under the

enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

...

are transferred to the

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

...

(3) References to the

Minister for Justice and Equality contained in any Act or instrument made

under such Act, and relating to any functions transferred by this Article

shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as

references to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

SCHEDULE 1

Article 3(1)(a)

Enactments, functions by

or under which are transferred from the Minister for Justice and Equality to

the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

...

Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018,

other than section 14(1)(aa)(ii) (inserted by Part 3 of the Equality Act 2004 (No.

24 of 2004)) of the Equal Status Act 2000 (No. 8 of 2000)

...

C2

Application of Act restricted (29.09.2003) by

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003

(31/2003), s. 19(11), S.I. No. 362 of 2003, reg. 3.

Jurisdiction of District Court in cases of prohibited conduct on licensed premises.

19.

— ...

(11) (a) The Act of 2000 shall cease to apply in relation to prohibited conduct occurring

on, or at the point of entry to, licensed premises on or after the commencement of

this section.

(b) Claims relating to prohibited conduct so occurring before such commencement shall

be dealt with as if this Act had not been passed.

C3

Application of Act potentially restricted by

Employment Equality Act 1998

(21/1998), s. 82(8) as inserted (18.07.2004) by

Equality Act 2004

(24/2004), s. 36, commenced on enactment.

Redress which may be ordered.

36.

— ...

(8) Where an act constitutes victimisation under both this Act and the Equal Status

Act 2000, redress may be provided under only one of them.

C4

Application of Act potentially restricted by

Pensions Act 1990

(25/1990), s. 81H(7) as inserted (5.04.2004) by

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004

(9/2004), s. 22, S.I. No. 141 of 2004.

Redress which may be ordered.

81H.

— ...

(7) Where an act constitutes victimisation both under this Part and the Employment

Equality Act 1998 or the Equal Status Act 2000, redress may be provided under only

one of them.

Editorial Notes

E1

Act included in definition of “relevant enactment” (1.08.2015) by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 2, S.I. No. 338 of 2015, with the following effects

• Powers of inspectors for purposes relevant enactments defined in

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 27.

• Workplace Relations Commission, an inspector or an adjudication officer authorised

to disclose employer’s registered number or employee’s PPSN to enable Labour Court to perform functions under relevant enactments by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015) s. 31(5).

• Power of Workplace Relations Commission and official body to disclose information

to each other concerning the commission of offence under relevant enactment provided

by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 32.

• Power of Workplace Relations Commission and contracting authority to disclose information

to each other concerning the commission of offence under employment enactment/ relevant

enactment provided by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 33.

• Powers of Minister to prosecute under relevant enactments transferred to Workplace

Relations Commission and references construed by

Workplace Relations Act 2015

(16/2015), s. 37.

E2

Power granted to Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to prepare draft codes

of practice regarding the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to those

matters to which the Act applies (1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 31(1)(d), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E3

Obligation imposed on Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to provide information

to the public and keep under review the effectiveness of the working of the collectively

cited

Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012

(1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 30(1)(b)(ii), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E4

Codes of Practice in respect of promotion of equality of opportunity in relation

to matters to which Act applies provided for (1.11.2014) by

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

(25/2014), s. 21(1)(d), S.I. No. 449 of 2014.

E5

Previous affecting provision: departmental administrative and

ministerial functions under Act other than under ss. 6(7)(a) and 14(aa)(ii)

transferred from Department of and Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht

Affairs to Department of and Minister for Justice and Law Reform (1.04.2011) by

Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011

(S.I. No. 139 of

2011); superseded as per C-note above.

E6

Previous affecting provision: departmental administrative and

ministerial functions under Act other than under ss. 6(7)(a) and 14(aa)(ii)

transferred from Department of and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

to Department and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (1.06.2010)

by

Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights (Transfer of Departmental

Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2010

(S.I. No. 217 of

2010); superseded as per E-note above.