Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people who are employed in the construction industry according to work category; the number of inspectors employed per thousand workers; the number of employers prosecuted for breaking the conditions of employment; the number of sub-contractors in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27406/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from the most recent statistics available from the Central Statistics Office that there are 253,800 people employed in the construction industry. I do not have details according to work category within the sector.

The assignment of previously announced additional Labour Inspectors was completed in November 2005. That brought the complement of serving Inspectors to 31 Officers. The current complement of inspectors provides for a ratio of one inspector for each 8,200 workers in the construction industry. However, the Deputy will be aware that Labour Inspectors carry out their duties in all sectors of the economy. A major package of measures has been agreed by the parties at the recent Partnership negotiations, including the establishment of a new, statutory Office dedicated to employment rights compliance and a trebling in the number of Labour Inspectors.

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/s concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. Successful prosecution can be dependent on adequate support from witnesses. In the past two years one employer in the construction sector was prosecuted for a breach of Employment Rights legislation. I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that there are approximately 85,000 sub-contractors currently operating in the construction industry.