Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace inspections carried out by the labour inspectorate to date in 2009; the way this compares with the same period in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41076/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has carried out a total of 22,136 calls, visits and inspections up to the 6th of November 2009. This compares with 25,530 for the corresponding period in 2008. The number of actual inspections decreased by 1,419 while the number of calls and interviews decreased by 1,040 and 935, respectively.

The decreased level of inspection activity in 2009 is mainly reflective of the decrease in the number of Inspectors available to NERA. In the course of 2009, the number of inspectors has fallen from 80 to the current level of 73. It also reflects the fact that there has been less focus on targeted sector specific campaigns organised by NERA in 2008 as compared with 2009. In 2009, the focus of NERA has been on a wide range of inspection activities including for the first time, a focus on carrying out inspections in relation to compliance with the Employment Permit Acts 2003 and 2006. To date 708 inspections have been carried out under this legislation.

Since it commenced operations on an interim basis in 2007, NERA has had considerable success in raising awareness of employment rights. Early in 2008, NERA undertook a nationwide information and awareness campaign, which has been instrumental in bringing about a much greater level of awareness both by employers and by employees of their respective rights and obligations under employment law.