Irish employers discriminate against non-Irish applicants

07/05/2009

Job applicants with an Irish name are twice as likely to be called for interview, says the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Researchers submitted identical CVs, which differed only in the name of each applicant - their investigation revealed discrimination against those with "an identifiably Africa, Asian or German name".

The study was commissioned by the Equality Authority and was the first of its kind to be conducted in Ireland.

Acting chief executive of the authority, Richard Fallon, said cultural diversity had been key to providing unique opportunities in productivity, learning, leadership, innovation and creativity.

The research, he noted, highlighted a "loss of equality of opportunity for potential non-Irish job applicants".

Under UK law, it is illegal for employers to discriminate on grounds of race, sex or ethnicity.

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