Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors employed by the National Employment Rights Authority; the number of labour inspectors available for assignment on normal duties; the number of labour inspectors in training following recruitment; the status of the recruitment campaign to increase the Labour Inspectorate to 90 inspectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23961/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with commitments given under Towards 2016, the Social Partnership Agreement, the number of Inspectors was scheduled to increase from 31 to 90 Inspectors by the end of 2007.

Competitions were held in 2007 for the recruitment of the additional fifty-nine Inspectors provided for under the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016. Fifty- six inspectors have been assigned to NERA from these competitions.

All fifty-six inspectors have completed NERA Inspection Services Introductory Training Programme and are currently undertaking further training, including on-the-job training with experienced inspectors. This involves working with experienced Inspectors in carrying out inspections and other associated enquiries at places of work with a view to determining compliance with certain employment rights legislation.

Assignment of the three remaining Inspectors selected in the competitions is ongoing and it is intended that these Inspectors will commence training immediately upon arrival.

Seven of the original 31 Inspectors have left NERA either on promotion or as a result of internal and external Departmental transfers. As a result, the total number of NERA Inspectors currently stands at eighty.

As the panels established in 2007 to recruit the additional Inspectors have now been exhausted a further recruitment process is being organised to fill the existing posts and other vacancies as they arise.