Ms Fiona Ward:

I do not have the data relating to those workers. Officials from the WRC inspectorate are the authorised officers under the Employment Permits Act 2006. They have the role of ensuring that employers are compliant with their obligations under the employment permit legislation and to confirm that workers' rights are being protected and not being impinged upon. I do not have data on the inspections they have carried out in the meat processing sector. I will have to get that for Deputy O'Reilly. However, the impact of Covid-19 and associated issues has meant that fewer inspections have taken place this year as a result of people having to stay at home, etc.