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Protection from housing discrimination ‘imperative’

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has provided legal representation to a person in a case involving a complaint of discrimination on the housing-assistance ground.

The housing-assistance ground outlaws discrimination in all services that are generally available to the public – including the provision of accommodation – whether provided by the State or the private sector.

The case was heard by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Equal Status Acts.

Documentation delay

The complaint related to what IHREC called “a considerable delay” by a management company in submitting the required documentation for an application for housing-assistance payment (HAP) to the relevant local authority.

The human-rights body said that the person settled the claim on terms satisfactory to both parties.

IHREC director Deirdre Malone said that, in light of the current housing climate, protection from discrimination on the housing-assistance ground was “imperative”.