Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to be able to confirm for the Deputy that the recruitment process for inspectors is under way. I am sure she is aware of that. That is why the extra funding was provided, in order that we could reach those numbers. Through the Public Appointments Service, a recruitment campaign is in train in conjunction with the WRC for an increase in the numbers of both EO and HEO inspectors. I was not in the Department at the time but it is my understanding that, after the need was identified in 2006 or 2007, the budget discussion for 2009 was focused on increasing the numbers and allocating extra money.

We all know what happened to the public finances in the years after that and it is only recently that we have restored the public finances to a sound position. We can now rightfully allocate increased resources to the Workplace Relations Commission to carry out its essential work and hire extra inspectors. The process is under way. The chairman of the WRC, David Begg, who was appointed recently, and its director general, Liam Kelly, are very committed to doing this. The Department and I are working with them to increase resources, as they have requested, and match their need. A recruitment campaign is under way and I have no doubt, given the number of applicants and the interviews that are taking place, that we will be able to increase the number of WRC inspectors. We will build on that with next year’s allocation. That is what we are here to do.

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