WRC dismisses discrimination complaint against Social Welfare Appeals Office

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Francis Lynn’s complaint against John Sheehan Social Welfare Appeals Office under section 22 of the Equal Status Act 2000. The decision, dated 6 March 2025, recorded no monetary award. Lynn alleged discrimination on gender, disability and housing assistance grounds, along with failures to provide reasonable accommodation and victimisation and harassment. The respondent argued that an Appeals Officer’s statutory functions were quasi-judicial and did not constitute an Equal Status service. The adjudication officer found no prohibited conduct or prima facie case, concluding the dispute concerned the statutory effect of enactments rather than treatment in providing a service.