Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the waiting time for hearings before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Wexford; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18444/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent body bound to act judicially and was set up to provide a speedy, fair, inexpensive and informal means for individuals to seek remedies for alleged infringements of their statutory right. As an independent body, I have no function in relation to the day-to-day operation of the Tribunal.

I understand that three thousand, seven hundred and twenty seven (3,727) claims and appeals were referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal in 2005, and to date in 2006, one thousand, two hundred and seventy five (1,275) claims and appeals have been received. There are thirty-one cases currently awaiting hearing in County Wexford, the earliest of which was referred to the Tribunal on 19 July 2005.

I am also aware that so far in 2006 the Tribunal set down hearings in County Wexford in weeks commencing 16 January and 6 March 2006 respectively, and that hearings are also due to take place in week commencing 29 May 2006. While the approximate current waiting period in County Wexford is forty-eight weeks from the date an individual claimant refers a claim, I understand that the Tribunal is making every effort to reduce this waiting period, including undertaking a concerted programme of targeting areas, such as County Wexford, where delays occur.