Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has raised the issue repeatedly for the past year. We are living up to our commitments under Towards 2016. A total of 81 labour inspectors are in place and no Deputy can deny they have been on the ground enforcing pay and conditions under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991. Inspectors are out and about.

With regard to cross-departmental enforcement, NERA was in contact with the Road Safety Authority, RSA, in June prior to the "Prime Time Investigates" programme to ascertain where they could complement each other. The authority will also increase co-operation with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Revenue. The Employment Law Compliance Bill will also contain measures to ensures that happens. NERA will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with the work permits regime. Inspectors will be at the coalface and there will be full cross-agency support, for example, with the Garda on work permits, the Revenue, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the RSA.

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