Written answers
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Workplace Inspections
Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 96: 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. [44619/09]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has carried out a total of 23,578 calls, visits and inspections up to the 27th of November 2009. This compares with 26,781 for the corresponding period in 2008. The number of actual inspections decreased by 1,135 while the number of calls and interviews decreased by 1,055 and 1,013 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 71.
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.
In 2009, NERA Inspectors were, in addition, authorised to carry out inspections in relation to compliance with the Employment Permit Acts 2003 and 2006. To date, 879 inspections have been carried out under this legislation.
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