Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Arising from paragraph 12.4 of the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, and to assist in the preparation of proposals for consideration by Government, the labour inspectorate prepared a discussion document on its mandate and resourcing. This comprehensive document was circulated to the social partners in January of this year so that their views could be obtained.

The discussion document covered all issues that impact on the operation of the labour inspectorate, ranging from the legislative framework right through to the operational aspects and staff development. It also looked at a range of possibilities around the operation of the labour inspectorate and offered a spectrum of possibilities, ranging from a compliance regime where the initiative would move more toward the complainant, with the labour inspectorate offering support, to a model where the right of initiative would be with the labour inspectorate, which would have a hands-on approach.

The labour inspectorate, and the individuals therein, are very much to the fore in seeking compliance with employment rights legislation and, as such, interact at a range of levels in the workplace, i.e., with migrant workers, young people, the low-paid and the full range of management within the workplace. Accordingly, the inspectorate requires particular skills and this need has been addressed in the recent past through specialised training provided in the context of the performance management and development system operating in the Department. Examples of the structured and formalised training delivered specifically to the labour inspectorate in recent years would range from courtroom skills, competency development packages, specialised driver training, racism awareness and the safe pass training scheme to enable them operate on building sites. A particular emphasis has been maintained on team building and working within the inspectorate, given that it operates in a team format with work distributed accordingly.

The discussion document has been well received among the social partners, with some comments received and others awaited, although initial favourable views have been made known. An interactive phase on the discussion document will get under way shortly whereby the range of choices will be narrowed down.

The inspectorate does a difficult job in an efficient and courteous manner and it always projects the Department's core principles of seeking to ensure compliance with the employment rights entitlements of workers, regardless of whether they are Irish or migrant workers. Compliance is achieved by means of advice, guidance, restitution of moneys due, with €486,000 recovered in 2004 and, ultimately, prosecutions, with 14 initiated in 2004.

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