Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has satisfied himself that the Health and Safety Authority has sufficient staff and resources to carry out its work having regard to the continuing unacceptable number of industrial accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12109/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Health and Safety Authority will receive a grant of €16.098 million in 2005, which is an increase from €14.994 million in 2004 and €13.607 million in 2003. In addition, further allocation of funds were made towards workplace safety projects which are implemented in conjunction with the construction safety partnership: €301,000 in 2003, €266,000 in 2004 and €301,000 will again be made available in 2005. The authority has a staff of 163, 100 of whom are specifically involved in inspection and investigation activities and in the enforcement of health and safety legislation.

This year the authority will increase the number of inspections to be undertaken and the associated enforcement. Priority will be given to serious accidents and complaints, which will be investigated and the necessary actions taken to guarantee the required improvements. A primary emphasis for the authority is on the prevention of workplace accidents through new initiatives, alliances and targeted programmes. I am confident that, in the context of the overall allocation of resources, the authority can carry out its objectives over the coming year.

While the statistics for workplace fatalities for 2004 showed a decline at 50 overall, the number of people killed in work related accidents in 2005 to date is 22, an alarming statistic which is completely unacceptable. Workplace safety has to be on the top of employers and workers' agendas. Employers need to put in place a proper health and safety management system to reduce and eliminate these needless deaths and injuries. Workers must be safety conscious and should not engage in activities that could endanger their own safety or the safety of others.