Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the labour inspectorate and the number of prosecutions initiated by the inspectorate in respect of the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; his plans to increase this number during 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4077/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The number of workplace inspections-visits undertaken by the labour inspectorate, during and after normal business hours, and prosecutions initiated in respect of the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 is set out in the following tabular statement. It should be noted that substantial and multifaceted investigations appear in the 2005 figures as one unit.

The primary function of the labour inspectorate is to seek compliance and rectification of any breaches identified, including payment of any arrears due to employees. Inspectors pursue allegations of worker mistreatment and seek redress for the individual or individuals concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. Successful prosecution can be dependent on adequate support from witnesses.

The number of inspector posts in the labour inspectorate of the Department is 31. The assignment of previously announced additional labour inspectors was completed in November 2005. That brought the complement of serving inspectors to 31 officers. That increase represents almost a doubling of inspector personnel in the past 18 months and is indicative of a determination to ensure compliance with employment rights legislation.

It is anticipated that the new round of social partnership talks will embrace consideration of further resourcing of the labour inspectorate together with options to enhance the effectiveness of our overall employment rights compliance regime.