Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the most appropriate action available to a person (details supplied) that is of the view that they were unfairly dismissed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32031/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, 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 and the Labour Court 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.

Complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Acts may be referred within six months of the dismissal, or if the Adjudicator is satisfied that there were exceptional circumstances, within twelve months of the dismissal.  The relevant on-line complaint form is available from the WRC’s website at www.workplacerelations.ie.  A decision of an Adjudicator may be appealed by either party to the Labour Court within six weeks of the decision. 

The WRC provides an information service providing information regarding employment rights obligations for employers and employment rights entitlements for employees. An information booklet on the Unfair Dismissals Acts is available on request from the WRC or can be downloaded from the website.  The WRC can be contacted at lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or 059 917 8990.  The phone service opening hours are 9:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.