Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way he will ensure that employment standards are met throughout the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18989/07]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that employment standards are met throughout the economy. A key feature of the Government's commitment is the establishment of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) responsible for monitoring and enforcing employment rights generally. The Office has been set up on an interim basis pending the enactment of legislation to give NERA statutory effect. The Director of NERA has been appointed and has taken up duty on 12 February 2007 and in accordance with the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016, the number of Labour Inspectors is being progressively increased from 37 at present to 90 by end-2007 as part of the initiative to increase the staffing resources of the Employment Rights Bodies generally.

The Employment Law Compliance Bill necessary to give NERA statutory authority and to give effect to a comprehensive package of measures concerning employment rights, including increased penalties is being progressed and preparation of the Bill, due to be published this year, is well advanced.

An information provision and public awareness campaign is being actively planned by NERA and a series of meetings with stakeholders have been undertaken to initiate structured dialogue between NERA and stakeholders for the promotion of employment rights compliance generally.

With the enactment of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007, which came into operation on 30th March, 2007, NERA Labour Inspectors now undertake joint investigations and engage in information exchange with officers of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. NERA Labour Inspectors are currently engaged in a campaign focussed on the construction industry with particular emphasis on the detection of bogus self-employment / false sub-contracting.

The Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies) Act 2007, addressing, among other matters, concerns of collective compulsory replacement of workers by lower paid has been passed. Under the terms of the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016, the government is further committed to legislation governing the improved regulation of employment agencies and the employment rights and standards of agency workers. In addition, a Code of Practice for protecting persons employed in other people's homes was recently published.

Through these measures, and other measures provided for in the Employment Rights and Compliance Chapter of Towards 2016, the Government is committed to, and will continue to ensure, that employment standards are being met throughout the economy.