The Employment Equality Act 1998

The Employment Equality Act 1998, which came into operation in October 1999, repeals and replaces the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act 1974 and the Employment Equality Act 1977. The Employment Equality Act 1998 outlaws discrimination in employment on nine distinct grounds, including gender. The Act gives protection to employees in both the public and private sector as well as applicants for employment and training. It allows an employer to put in place positive action measures to promote equal opportunities on gender grounds. It also allows positive action specifically geared towards the integration in employment of people over the age of 50, people with disabilities and members of the traveller community. The Equality infrastructure in Ireland is built around the Employment Equalty Act, 1998, the Equal Status Act, 2000 and the Equality Act, 2004.