£1m paid in discrimination cases

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7828226.stm

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More than £1m in compensation was paid out in the year 2007-2008 to claimants in discrimination cases in NI, the Equality Commission has said.

It has published its Decisions and Settlements Review which gave summaries of 103 cases it supported.

Of the 103 cases resolved, 90 were settled before reaching a court or tribunal hearing.

There were 38 cases taken on grounds of disability discrimination and 24 on ground of sex discrimination.

Smaller numbers of cases were taken on grounds of religious/political belief, 9, race, 5, age, 3, and sexual orientation, 2.

"Last year, we received over 3,000 legal enquiries about potential discrimination," said the commission's Eileen Lavery.

"Frequently the individual concerned is able, with our advice, to find the resolution they would like."

Mrs Lavery said that discrimination cases have impact on employers and businesses, both financially and in terms of morale and reputation.

"The publication of these cases is an important tool in informing the public, employers, service providers and those involved in the law about what is acceptable and what is not," she said.