Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
347. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of complaints under the Employment Equality Acts concerning failure to provide reasonable accommodation in employment in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of such cases that resulted in findings for the complainant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has collected or sought any data on the implementation by employers of the Reasonable Accommodation Passport framework launched by organisations (details supplied) in June 2022; if so, the findings to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29380/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
The number of complaint applications made under the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2021, for the period 2022 to date in 2026, in which the complainant specifically cited a failure to provide reasonable accommodation for a disability, together with their outcomes, is set out in the table below. Cases may be withdrawn for a number of reasons, including where a settlement has been reached or due to personal or practical considerations.
|
Decision |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
Open cases |
12 |
14 |
21 |
273 |
167 |
487 |
|
Adjudicated – Complaint Rejected |
46 |
54 |
42 |
11 |
1 |
154 |
|
Adjudicated – Complaint Upheld |
17 |
16 |
18 |
4 |
|
55 |
|
Resolved by Mediation |
28 |
30 |
35 |
36 |
* |
129 |
|
Withdrawn before Adjudication |
58 |
63 |
83 |
75 |
8 |
287 |
|
Withdrawn during Adjudication |
10 |
10 |
11 |
7 |
|
38 |
|
Withdrawn post Adjudication |
33 |
37 |
41 |
21 |
|
132 |
|
Other (Out of Time etc.) |
6 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
Total |
210 |
224 |
251 |
427 |
176 |
1288 |
*Given the sensitivity and confidentiality attaching to mediation, very small numbers for outcomes to date in 2026 are not separately identified.
Whilst the WRC has the power to adjudicate on complaints under the Employment Equality Acts, policy responsibility for the equality legislation, rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. Having regard to the respective legislative responsibilities, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality would be best placed to address the Deputy’s question regarding the availability of data on employers’ implementation of the Reasonable Accommodation Passport framework.
