Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the delay in the Workplace Relations Commission ruling process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.

The WRC has statutory responsibility for investigation and adjudication of complaints at first instance under a wide range of employment rights, equality and industrial relations legislation. Cases are heard by WRC Adjudication Officers who are independent in the discharge of their statutory functions. The WRC endeavours to issue decisions within six weeks of the case concluding.

Given the independence of the adjudicators in the exercise of their statutory functions, I cannot intervene in the adjudication process. However, the parties to the case are at liberty to contact the WRC directly in relation to the decision issuing.

Decisions of Adjudication Officers can be appealed to the Labour Court except for cases under the Equal Status Acts which are appealable to the Circuit Court.