Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I assume that by field staff the Deputy is referring to the grade of inspector whose primary responsibilities include the carrying out of inspections and other associated inquiries at places of work with a view to determining compliance with certain employment rights legislation.

In accordance with commitments given under Towards 2016, the social partnership agreement, the number of inspectors is scheduled to increase to 90, from a starting position of 31, by the end of 2007. Fifty one inspectors hold appointments with the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA. The Public Appointments Service's recruitment and selection process for ten inspectors with specific language skills has been completed while my Department's competitions for the remaining inspector positions were completed yesterday, 27 November. By the end of the year we will have the 90 labour inspectors as committed under Towards 2016. It is a good news story all round.

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