Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of field staff currently in the labour inspectorate; the timetable for the increase in the number of inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31481/07]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that by field staff the Deputy is referring to the grade of inspector whose primary responsibilities include the carrying out of inspections and other associated inquiries at places of work with a view to determining compliance with certain employment rights legislation.

In accordance with commitments given under Towards 2016, the social partnership agreement, the number of inspectors is scheduled to increase to 90, from a starting position of 31, by the end of 2007. Fifty one inspectors hold appointments with the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA. The Public Appointments Service's recruitment and selection process for ten inspectors with specific language skills has been completed while my Department's competitions for the remaining inspector positions were completed yesterday, 27 November. By the end of the year we will have the 90 labour inspectors as committed under Towards 2016. It is a good news story all round.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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When will the ten inspectors with the language skills be put in place? There is a shift from employing Irish to non-national workers, some of whom receive lesser terms and conditions than Irish employees. There is a perception that no Irish need apply to some companies, which causes two problems. Coming back to the point made by Deputy Quinn earlier, this is causing resentment and is putting responsible companies out of business. Fines imposed by the labour inspectorate are increasing annually but do inspectors target specific sectors in the economy to ensure this abuse is eradicated?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, is to ensure employment legislation is complied with and its purpose is to educate and inform to ensure companies are aware of their obligations and employees are aware of their entitlements. In this context there is a strong emphasis on information and education with programmes being rolled out in various sectors of the economy. Labour inspectors will be targeting specific areas and will soon launch a programme, under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996, to ensure young people are not exploited in the approach to Christmas.

There will be 90 inspectors by the end of the year and great interest was shown by people with language skills. This is a welcome development due to the diverse nature of today's economy and the potential exploitation that immigrants face, which we must ensure is not allowed to permeate the economy. Language inspectors will be engaging in discussions and the unions played an important role in this area; I recently met representatives of the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union, SIPTU, regarding how it will inform its members of the role of NERA. It is a proactive organisation and we will have 90 inspectors by the end of the year who will educate, inform and enforce.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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When will the ten inspectors with specific language skills be appointed and begin carrying out inspections? This was my first supplementary question and the final interviews were held six weeks ago. When will the final group of inspectors begin employment?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The most important point is that the language inspectors have been recruited and are being trained at the moment.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Have they signed contracts?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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They have been recruited for training. This was a complex matter because it was necessary to ensure candidates had language skills and the selection process was detailed. It attracted huge interest.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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This process was completed six weeks ago.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is correct but it is necessary to train people having found the level of language competency they possess. It is a complex area because they must be aware of compliance and employment rights legislation and when they are trained they will get their labour inspector warrants.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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When will they receive their warrants?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot give a specific date but it will be soon and I will get back to the Deputy on this matter.