Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two issues. We have had a lengthy discussion in the Dáil on a couple of occasions, and I think that applies to the Seanad as well, on the number of inspectors employed by the WRC. I think that the report the Senator referenced dates back to 2008 so it predates the financial recession in this country. I note that it was a recommendation and not a Government commitment. We have increased the resources and staffing levels since then. The Tánaiste announced to the Houses during a debate in July that additional staff would be employed. Over the past year there has been a recruitment process to bring in extra staff and inspectors. The Senator mentioned Limerick. If there are issues of concern in Limerick or anywhere else, he knows that he can present them to me and to my colleagues and they will be dealt with and investigated, as they always are, because our inspectors target key areas of concern and always act on information.

The Senator referenced and presented concerns. We target areas where we know there are issues. That is the process of the work of the WRC and its staff.