A new study suggests that the highest rates of discrimination in Ireland continue to be felt by people of black ethnicity.

The study carried out by the Equality Authority and the Economic and Social Research Institute suggests that almost one in eight of the State's adults say they suffered discrimination between 2009 and 2010.

However, only one in ten took any formal or legal action in response.

The highest rates of reported discrimination were in recruitment at 6%, and in the workplace at 5%.

And 3% of respondents said they were singled out for unfavourable treatment while accessing housing.

The lowest rates were for education, with just over 1%, and transport services with 0.4%.

People of black ethnicity were over five times more likely than white Irish nationals to report serious discrimination, and almost four times more likely to say they suffered the injustice to any degree.

People of Asian origin and other ethnic groups suffer less than people of black ethnicity, but more than the white Irish.

For people with a disability, the risk of serious discrimination remains high, particularly in health and transport services.

Lone parents also reported high levels of prejudice when accessing social welfare services, adding that this seriously impacted on their lives.