Mr. Liam Berney:

Yesterday, I attended a webinar hosted by the Department of the Minister, Deputy Harris. The Department's name is too long to say. At the webinar, the Minister launched his Department's strategy statement for the next three years. A large emphasis was placed on reskilling and upskilling workers in the economy. There was a particular emphasis on apprenticeships and ensuring they could address the economy's skills needs. The statement included an ambitious target of increasing the number of apprenticeships. That is an initiative I hope will address some of the issues that the Deputy has referenced as well as some of the gaps in employers' workforces.

Those present may know that I am a member of the WRC's board. I imagine what Deputy O'Reilly has pointed out is merely the tip of the iceberg. In the early 2000s, an agreement was reached between ICTU and the Government to have 90 labour inspectors in the WRC. That figure has never been reached. Currently, the WRC has 47 inspectors. Imagine what would be uncovered if it had its full complement of inspectors. The Deputy's point is a valid one and there is a great deal of exploitation in some parts of the economy, although not in all. The statistic would be much more shocking if the WRC had its full complement of inspectors available to it to carry out this work. Perhaps this is an issue the committee can consider in its consideration of this legislation.