Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding administrative processes of the Workplace Relations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11147/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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With effect from 1 October 2015, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal were merged into a new body of first instance, known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). From 1 October 2015, all complaints fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and on appeal, to the Labour Court.

The WRC’s core services include the provision of early resolution, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services, adjudication on employment and equality complaints, the monitoring of employment conditions to ensure the compliance and enforcement of employment rights legislation, the provision of information, and the processing of employment agency and protection of young persons (employment) licences.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. It is established practice that Ministers do not get involved with its adjudication function. The Workplace Relations Act 2015 directs that hearings are heard in private.

However, I understand that the administrative procedures of the WRC place emphasis on ensuring that the correct respondent is on notice of the hearing and that linked cases are listed together where feasible. I have been informed that the WRC has been in contact with the parties to this end.

Separately, as set out in its Statement of Strategy, the WRC Adjudication Division will meet with key stakeholder organisations over the coming weeks to identify particular issues of concern around service delivery.