Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. We expect this problem to be resolved very shortly. The WRC inspectorate is staffed by civil servants from my Department. The staff are ranked at executive officer and higher executive officer levels. Resources at inspectorate level in the WRC have increased by almost one third since 2020, with the WRC now having been sanctioned for 80 inspectors, representing an increase of 20. We are recruiting these at present. Additional funding provided in the most recent budget will increase the WRC’s inspectorate number to bring the worker-employer ratio across the State into line with international norms.

We fought very hard in the budget to get an extra €2.4 million for the WRC. The WRC will provide for more labour inspectors. One of my priorities when I became Minister of State six months ago was to ensure the WRC would be adequately staffed. That is why I am so pleased that, from the end of November, we will be recruiting the 26 additional inspectors who are already on the interview panel. We are making very good progress in rectifying the issue.