Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The point I am making, with respect, is that if the rates of pay were attractive, the provider would not have to go to Spain, the Philippines and elsewhere. If RSA is engaging with Applus+, will it look at the rates of pay? Issues have been raised with me by people working in those centres about overtime. They are paid per car rather than per hour. There are issues around whether new recruits all have to work weekends, rather than putting in place some kind of a three-cycle approach. RSA needs to look at the HR practices, in terms of what staff are paid and the work-life experience they get. If it looked at that, that company might be in a position to retain more staff and be a more attractive opportunity for others. I have nothing against bringing in people from other jurisdictions if that is a requirement but I suggest there are people here prepared to work in the sector if it is made attractive to them.

What kind of qualifications do those coming in have? Are they qualified to the same standard as motor mechanics here? What kind of programme does RSA put in place to ensure they are up to the same standard as mechanics trained in the Irish context?