Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason for the delays in the Rights Commissioners issuing a decision on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Labour Relations Commission, of which the Rights Commissioner Service is a Division, is a body that acts independently in the carrying out of its functions. The question deals with matters relating to the day-to-day functioning of the Labour Relations Commission and is one in which I have no direct responsibility.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to amend the legislative provisions regarding the Rights Commissioner Service to provide for an administrative complaints procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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On 1 July 2011, I announced my intention to streamline the State's five employment rights bodies and to introduce a simpler, more effective system, including a single point of entry for all users of the State's employment rights machinery. The Rights Commissioner Service is part of the Labour Relations Commission, one of the five bodies in question.

On 15 August 2011, I published a consultation paper on this reform process, and invited submissions from interested parties by 16th September. My proposals are aimed at providing Ireland with a world-class employment rights system, as well as reducing costs for taxpayers and users of the system. My proposals include providing a system that will be easy to understand and use; A new integrated two-tier structure to replace the five existing employment rights bodies; Individuals being able to take their own case and not having to rely on a legal representative, a representative body or a labour inspector; The development of shared services and integration of back office functions to ensure greater efficiency and savings; Support to ensure that speedy resolution can occur at workplace level; related cases being taken at the same hearing; One entry point to the system.

At this stage, it is too early to be precise as to how the reformed entity will operate, whether by a form of 'administrative complaints procedure' or by some other procedure. These issues will be addressed in the context of the streamlining review.