The number of cases of racial discrimination in the workplace referred to the Equality Tribunal increased by 78 per cent last year, according to its annual report published today.
The report also shows a 16 per cent increase in cases of discrimination against people with a disability in accessing services referred last year compared with 2005.
In the employment area there was a 12 per cent increase in cases referred, including the 78 per cent increase in cases taken for racial discrimination.
Under this heading, the number of cases investigated rose from 82 in 2005 to 146 last year. The second most usual reason for alleged discrimination at work was gender, though this saw a 16 per cent decrease from 88 cases in 2005 to 74 cases last year.
Claims of discrimination in employment were successful in 44 per cent of cases and the average award increased by 17 per cent last year to €10,113 in employment cases.