In Ireland can an employer ask the following questions on an application form: date of birth; whether the candidate has a disability or not; or has been convicted of a criminal offence; and languages spoken.

An employer has to be very careful regarding what questions it asks employees on an application form and during the entire recruitment process, given the prohibition on discrimination against employees and/or prospective employees on any of the nine grounds set out in the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008.

With regard to an employee’s date of birth, there is no requirement, or legal justification, for an employer to ask an employee/potential employee his/her date of birth on an application form or at the interview stage. Given the potential age discrimination implications, this information should not be requested. However, upon commencement of employment, the employee could be asked for