Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will increase immediately the complement of labour inspectors to at least 75, in order that his Department can adequately and efficiently cope with the demands placed upon it; if he will implement the necessary measures which will provide for any legal and other professional support services to enable the labour inspectorate to operate more efficiently and effectively; if he will introduce legislation to provide for a statutory linkage between the labour inspectorate and the trade union movement, either through trade union participation or a liaison body or similar forum; and if he will increase substantially the penalties for non-compliance with employment rights legislation. [16779/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following my recent announcement on 12 April, the number of labour inspector posts has increased to 31. The additional inspectors will strengthen the labour inspectorate's capacity to ensure workers receive their entitlements under employment rights legislation. Arising from paragraph 12.4 of the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, and to assist in the preparation of proposals for consideration by Government, a discussion document was prepared by the labour inspectorate regarding its mandate and resourcing. This comprehensive discussion document was prepared and circulated to the social partners in January of this year so that their views could be obtained. All the issues raised by the Deputy are considered in the document. The discussion document covered the full dimension of issues that impact on the operation of the labour inspectorate ranging from the legislative framework right through to the operational aspects and staff development. The document also examined a range of possibilities regarding the operation of the labour inspectorate and offered a spectrum of possibilities ranging from a compliance regime where the initiative would move more toward the complainant, with the inspectorate offering support; for a model where the right of initiative would be with it to conduct a hands-on approach. The discussion document, which identifies 39 key proposals, is not prescriptive; rather it seeks to present the arguments for and against an extensive range of issues impacting on the mandate and associated resourcing of the labour inspectorate and its linked business units. In the absence of appropriate analysis, no particular model can be endorsed. However, the purpose of their inclusion is primarily to stimulate debate and signal that fundamental changes in approach should be considered. The discussion document has been well received among the social partners with some comments received while others are awaited, although initial favourable views have been made known. An interactive phase on the discussion document will get under way shortly whereby the range of choices will be narrowed down and the issues raised by the Deputy will be considered in the context of the review.