Dr. Deirdre Curran:

In response to the question about the WRC, in 2019, of hotels inspected, 73% were found to be in breach of the minimum regulations, with 30% of food and beverage employers found to be in breach. A total of €54,000 was recovered in unpaid wages and 40% of those inspections were announced inspections. I would call for a targeted campaign of unannounced inspections. The head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said recently that if workers have a problem, they should go to the WRC. First, hospitality workers do not know the WRC exists and, second, if the worker is afraid to speak out to the supervisors, then he or she is not going to go to the WRC. Third, if a person goes for adjudication or mediation in the WRC, because employers bring legal representatives, it will cost the person money to get a hearing. In 2020, 32% of WRC inspections were announced and 32% of food and beverage employers were found to be in breach of the regulations, with 24% of hotels found to be in breach.

I absolutely agree with Mr. Berney that if this is going to work, it is vital the inspection service is properly resourced. It is an excellent service. A worker can trigger an inspection without his or her employer knowing it was him or her.