Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of occupational stress; if workplace stress is increasing; the underlying factors; if these factors are on the increase; the groups of workers most concerned; the cost to the Irish economy of workplace stress; the way in which the issue is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4780/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There is no reliable data on the extent of stress caused by work, that is, occupational stress, in Ireland. There is no facility or central agency that has reliably measured either the reporting or the treatment of occupational stress in Ireland. Hence, as there is no historical data, nor any current reliable data, it is not possible to reply definitively to the elements of the Deputy's question.

I am aware that there are some large organisations and professional bodies that make their own inquiries into the level of self-reported stress among their own membership but this information is not available either to my Department or the Health and Safety Authority.

The Report of the Advisory Group on Workplace Bullying published last year covered this subject but did not set out any data on the extent of workplace stress or the groups most affected.

There is a body of scientific research on the topic, which tends to agree as to the sources of occupational stress. The list is not exhaustive, as the world of work and the social environment changes quickly. However, many researchers agree that the most cited causes of occupational stress arise under six broad headings: demands at work; control over work; support at work; roles; relationships; and change.

As there is no available data on costs for the economy from occupational stress, other than the costs directly paid out by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in respect of occupational injury benefit and allowances for anxiety-related disorders and stress, it is not possible to indicate the cost to the Irish economy of workplace stress. Department of Social and Family Affairs figures available to me show that in 2005, 169 occupational injury benefit claims related to stress were received in a total of 11,600 occupational injury benefit claims. The cost of paying out benefit in respect of these claims is not yet available. The Department of Social and Family Affairs figure, however, would not capture all the associated costs such as replacement workers, litigation, insurance costs, public health costs and secondary costs from the fall-out of stress.

As stress is not an illness, it is not a reportable workplace issue to the authorities in Ireland. It is therefore not monitored. Advice and general awareness raising in relation to occupational safety, health and welfare, including stress, is carried out by the Health and Safety Authority through promotional material and presentations, assistance and guidance.

The Health and Safety Authority expects every employer to conduct risk assessments for health and safety hazards, including work-related stress where appropriate, in accordance with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

It is important that the risk assessment includes consulting with employees and their representatives to identify problem areas, taking action to address these problems in partnership with employees and their representatives, and a commitment to review action plans.

I would like to add that the HSA in partnership with the British Health and Safety Executive and Health Scotland have developed Work Positive, which is an audit tool with guidance material for in-house application. Work Positive is a comprehensive risk management tool that incorporates a risk assessment template covering the known causes of workplace stress. It provides a step-by-step guide to assessing risks of stress, outlining the aims of each step and thereby helping employers to eliminate or properly manage these risk factors at the workplace.