Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Subhead C3 provides for just €18.7 million for the workplace relations programme. With the commencement of the Workplace Relations Act on 1 October 2015, two statutorily independent bodies replaced the five previously in existence. From that date, there was a new single body of first instance called the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and an expanded Labour Court. The most radical reform of the State's workplace relations institutions in 70 years is delivering results. The wind-down of the Employee Appeals Tribunal, EAT, is also delivering the envisaged cost savings.

These new structures are delivering an independent workplace relations service, which is easy to use and provides for a workable means of redress and enforcement within a reasonable period. The WRC received 14,400 complaints in the first full year of its existence, with 75% of the adjudication hearings held within 22 weeks of complaint receipt and adjudication decisions issued within 29 weeks from complaint receipt. The allocation to the WRC provides for extensive information services to workers and employers for industrial relations advisory support as well as conciliation and mediation of disputes. In addition, it provides for inspection and enforcement of employment rights through the labour inspectorate. More than 4,830 inspections were carried out in 2016 and €1.5 million in unpaid wages was recovered by the WRC inspectorate.

Subhead C5 provides €18.112 million to the Health and Safety Authority, HSA. We are experiencing strong economic growth and businesses are rapidly expanding with new jobs are being created on a daily basis. It is vital that we continue to prioritise the health and safety of all workers in a way that promotes business growth, aids competitiveness and protects workers. Particular focus remains on the high-risk areas such as agriculture and construction. More than 10,400 inspections and investigations were carried out in 2016 and new ways of engaging such as using knowledge sharing groups of farmers have been developed. I am also working closely with my colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to bring together all shareholders in the farming sector with a view to developing and ensuring a greater collaborative approach to farm safety.

SMEs are the backbone of the economy and need easy to use tools and guidance to help maintain and manage workplace safety and health that avoids additional administrative burdens or costs. The HSA has been to the forefront in meeting this challenge with the continuing roll-out of the Be Smart online risk assessment tool reaching more than 38,000 businesses. Be Smart is acknowledged to be an exemplary model of risk assessment across the EU and has been chosen by the Commission as the basis for a mutual learning exercise as part of the modernisation of the occupational health and safety legislative suite.

Subhead C13 provides almost €500,000 for the Low Pay Commission. Last year, the commission recommended an increase in the national minimum wage to €9.25 per hour, which was accepted by the Government and came into effect from 1 January this year. I look forward to receiving the commission's report and its recommendation on the rate of the national minimum wage for 2018 by 19 July next.

Subhead C14 provides for Ireland's annual subscription to the International Labour Organization, ILO, of €1.3 million. The Department is currently deepening its engagement with this tripartite UN body responsible for international labour standards. For example, in June this year, for the first time since joining the ILO in 1923, Ireland will assume a seat on its governing body. This will give Ireland a voting role during an ambitious and active period for the ILO as it prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2019.

I join the Minister in paying tribute to LEOs and the vital role they play in fostering growth and employment throughout every region. I have had the pleasure of meeting a significant number of LEO officials and I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm with which they carry out their important remit. As the Minister said, the fact that the LEOs added 3,600 net new jobs in 2016 is particularly praiseworthy. The fact that LEO clients have directly supported more than 34,600 jobs across the country is a testament to what can be achieved through local efforts and local organisations working together. I, therefore, very much welcome the additional capital funding of €4 million in the 2017 Estimate for LEOs. I have no doubt that this additional funding will help to ensure that they continue to build on their success and will enable them to play their part in meeting the Government's regional jobs target.