Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 490: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of fully trained and deployed labour inspectors with the National Employment Rights Authority; the number of inspectors currently in training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27060/08]

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-seven inspectors have been assigned to NERA from these competitions.

Fifty-six of these inspectors have completed the NERA Inspection Services Introductory Training Programme and are currently undertaking further training, including on-the-job training. 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. A further inspector commenced duty recently and is currently undergoing the NERA Inspection Services Introductory Training Programme.

Assignment of the two 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-one.

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