Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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460. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of complaints received by the Health and Safety Authority regarding Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing in workplaces since 12 March 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8020/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Health and Safety Authority’s Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) is a helpdesk resource for employers, employees and members of the public. Since the beginning of March 2020, the WCU has dealt with a wide variety of queries and complaints, with a vast number of these pertaining to the application of public health measures in specific workplaces. The nature of these queries has evolved in recent weeks in tandem with new or additional public health measures announced by the Government to delay the spread of COVID-19.

In the period requested, from 12 March 2020 to date, 2,867 contacts were received by the WCU specifically in relation to COVID-19, which represented 2,512 Requests for Information (RFI) and 355 complaints. Of the 355 complaints received in relation to COVID-19, 299 reference either physical distancing or social distancing.

Each complaint received by the HSA is initially followed up with the relevant company or employer by the Workplace Contact Unit. If there is no response, or the response is not satisfactory or in the event of receipt of multiple or serious allegations at any one time, an inspector will follow up with the employer. The inspector may then decide that a pre-arranged or unannounced inspection is warranted.

I can assure the Deputy that complaints received by the Health and Safety Authority have been followed up and addressed with the employer.