Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The HSA, an agency under the aegis of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, decided to undertake a focused campaign of inspection and engagement with the players in the waste management sector last year. The aim was to ensure that there were improved standards of performance in the industry and a renewed focus on workplace health and safety due to the issues of which the Deputy and I are aware. The HSE met directly with representatives of the waste industry association to discuss improvements to standards in the industry. The National Employment Rights Authority carried out a review of its inspection cases involving waste collection, disposal and recycling services from 2009 to 2014. Interestingly, it found that the overall level of compliance in these cases closely followed overall employer compliance across industry.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is undertaking a review of the waste management sector and my officials are in direct contact with officials in his Department to ensure that the Department fully understands the reports we received, the need for labour standards to be maintained in the industry and the needs surrounding labour costs.

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