Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and colleagues for taking the third question first. I tried to get here in such a hurry that I managed to walk up to the higher level and then had to come back down again.

The WRC is an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department. It was established on 1 October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. On its establishment, sanction for 60 labour inspectors was granted. I understand from Department officials that an agreement with unions existed in 2016 whereby the number of WRC inspectors was to be increased to 90 over time. However, it predated the establishment of the WRC in October 2015.

The WRC was established as a two-tier employment rights and industrial relations structure to improve the State's employment rights and industrial relations service and reduce the number of industrial relations bodies from five to two, therefore requiring fewer staff. Staffing levels of WRC inspectorate are currently under active review. I am advised and satisfied that the service is operating effectively and that no delays are being reported.

WRC inspectors are appointed by the WRC Director General, with the consent of the Minister, and exercise such powers as are conferred upon them by the Workplace Relations Act 2015.

The WRC inspectorate is staffed by civil servants of my Department. As of 1 May 2021, there has been a total of 53 WRC inspectors. There are currently 60 sanctioned labour inspector posts. These comprise 53 executive officer inspectors and seven higher executive officer inspector team managers. These are supervised by three assistant principals and one chief labour inspector. In total, there are just under 200 staff in the WRC as a whole.

Currently, there are two competitions ongoing within the Public Appointments Service, and interviews for a higher executive officer inspector team manager competition have been finalised. The WRC expects two appointments from the competition shortly. A recruitment drive for inspectors is also under way. This will create a panel to enable vacancies to be filled.

I am aware that during a Topical Issue debate with the Minister of State, Deputy English, in March, Deputy O'Reilly raised the high number of breaches of employment law in meat plants found by WRC inspectors.

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