Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The number of inspections undertaken by the HSA has fallen in recent years. A total of 15,430 inspections were conducted in 2011 and this fell to 10,719 in 2014 due to staff reductions and changes in the character of inspection activity, notably in the farm sector. Most inspections are targeted at high risk sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, mines, quarries, transport of dangerous goods by road and chemicals. The number of inspections increased to 10,880 in 2015. The authority's work programme for 2016 set a target of 11,165 inspections and investigations. The delivery of the planned inspection programme for this year is on target. A total of 5,237 inspections and 524 investigations had been carried out by the end of quarter 2 by the HSA. This is more than 51% of the planned target.