Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

The National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, was established in 2007 on an interim basis on foot of a commitment in the most recent social partnership agreement, Towards 2016. NERA will be established on a statutory basis following enactment of the employment law compliance Bill, which will be published shortly.

NERA's mission is to achieve a national culture of employment rights compliance. One of the ways in which NERA aims to achieve this mission is by providing information on employment rights and obligations to employees and employers in a factual and impartial manner.

In 2007, NERA's information services provided this information to employees and employers through a number of channels, including by telephone, in writing, by e-mail, via its website and through ongoing public awareness programmes, including making presentations at seminars and events and hosting stands at relevant exhibitions. In 2007, NERA's information services dealt with almost 100,000 contacts and made more than 40 presentations to a number of stakeholder organisations. The unit also provided a comprehensive range of explanatory leaflets and guides on different obligations and entitlements under employment rights legislation. These were available in English and a range of languages on the Department's website. Throughout 2007, the direct contact information service at 1890 808090 was available between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Unbroken service was maintained throughout, including during NERA's decentralisation to Carlow in July.

NERA is committed to ensuring that workers from overseas have access to employment rights information. In 2007, NERA made its information brochure available in 12 languages including Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Chinese and French. During 2007, NERA also liaised closely with a number of organisations such as the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland, Emigrant Advice and the citizens information centres nationwide network, which deal directly and closely with migrant workers.

NERA participated in 11 exhibitions in 2007, including the New Communities Expo held in the RDS in October at which the largest attendance was from the Polish community. NERA also took part in a FÁS-EURES event in Torun, Poland in November. The aim of the event was to inform and advise the public in Poland on issues related to living and working in Ireland, as well as to assist Irish employers to recruit skilled employees from Poland. It is estimated that approximately 800 people attended the NERA stand at that event.

NERA is committed to providing impartial information to employers on their employment rights obligations. In 2007, NERA staff participated in a roadshow organised by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, ISME, for its members. The roadshow and NERA staff visited 12 venues over a two-week period. Members of NERA's inspection services accompanied information officers during the roadshow.

NERA inspection services play an important role in promoting employment rights during the course of their inspection activity. As part of the inspection process, inspectors, where appropriate, inform employers of their obligations and employees of their rights. The need for inspectors with specific language skills to ensure that an effective customer service is provided to migrant workers was identified in 2007. As a result ten inspectors with specific language skills were recruited through the Public Appointments Service. Three of these inspectors have taken up their positions with NERA to date and are undergoing training at present. The remaining inspectors are expected to take up their positions in the coming weeks. One of NERA's most important information and awareness tools is its website, www.employmentrights.ie. I encourage all Deputies to look at it because it is exceptionally good and user friendly. It has been designed to provide user-friendly, accessible information on employment rights generally and on the role of NERA specifically.

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