Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding his proposals to overhaul the five employment rights bodies; the date on which he intends to complete this project; the proposals he has in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41663/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to reform of the State’s Workplace Relations Services. The system that developed over the last sixty years had become unwieldy and complex; it lacked consistency, involved long delays and in some cases proved expensive for users.

In short the system was no longer fit for purpose and it was for this reason that I committed to delivering a root-and-branch reform with the objective of establishing a world-class Workplace Relations Service.

Significant progress has been made to date and I am happy to report that in the last year:

- Two public consultation processes were completed

- Two policy documents were published

- A new single contact portal has replaced the five separate entry points

- Complaints are now acknowledged, on average, within a week of receipt. This was previously taking up to eight months in some cases

- The employer is also notified, on average, within a week of the complaint being lodged thus increasing the possibility of a resolution being reached without the need for a hearing. Again this was taking up to eight months in some cases

- There are now no backlogs for Rights Commissioner hearings

- A Single Complaint Form has replaced the 30 forms previously in use

- A new workplace relations interim website is in place

- A pilot Early Resolution Service is now seeking to resolve disputes at an early stage without the need for adjudication.

In addition the Scheme of the Workplace Relations Bill has been prepared and Government Approval for priority drafting of the Bill has been secured.

I intend to progress the reform programme to the next stage with the same determination that has delivered the achievements to date. I am working towards delivery of the new two-tier Workplace Relations structure so that from next year two statutorily independent bodies will replace the current five.

In the meantime I intend to continue to progress the reform and bring about further enhancements for users of the services on an administrative basis in the coming months.