Almost half of all queries to the Equality Authority last year related to concerns about maternity leave entitlements, according the authority's annual report.
The authority handled 878 legal cases in 2009, some of which were initiated in earlier years. Almost one third of all employment cases taken were against Government departments or State agencies.
More than 8,000 people last year contacted the authority for help in relation to employment problems and equal access to services and facilities, the annual report published today said. More than 3,600 of these queries related to the Maternity Protection Acts.
Separate to maternity concerns; around 1,700 queries related to the Employment Equality Acts, 1,650 came under the Equal Status Acts, almost 1,100 calls were received in relation to the Parental Leave Acts and just over 60 related to the Adoptive Leave Acts.
While the majority of people contacting the authority were seeking information, more than 1,000 said they had suffered, or were concerned about, discrimination.
There were 221 queries related to discrimination on age grounds and 190 related to disability. The report found 188 queries related to discrimination because of gender.
Of the queries related to discrimination in the provision of goods and services, 210 said the discrimination related to a disability, while 161 cited age grounds and 118 claimed the discrimination related to race.
The education sector accounted for just over 14 per cent of employment cases, while more than 12 per cent were taken by workers in the health sector. The majority of cases related to working conditions or access to employment.
Authority chairwoman Angela Kerins said despite a 43 per cent cut to the authority's budget in 2009, targets set before the cut was announced were met and in some cases exceeded.
“A total of 878 case files were processed, with 213 new case files being opened and 658 case files closed.
“Given the 2009 budget cuts, this work-rate is testament to the dedication and professionalism of the Equality Authority team.”
