Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting seven additional HEO inspectors and 35 EO inspectors for Workplace Relations Commission. [31179/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s broad mandate includes the inspection of employment rights compliance, the provision of information, adjudicating on complaints under employment protection, equality and industrial relations legislation and the provision of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services.

The WRC Inspectorate is staffed by civil servants of my Department. As at 30 September 2020, there are a total of 48 WRC Labour Inspectors. In addition, there are panels in place for the assignment of 5 further inspector grades and, working with the Public Appointments Service, new regional panels will shortly be established. It is estimated that the recruitment of 7 additional HEO inspectors and 35 additional EO inspectors to the WRC, would cost €1,921,500 in 2021, excluding allowances and employers PSRI.

While the WRC allocation for 2021 will not be finalised until the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume in December, it is anticipated that the allocation will be consistent with the funding provided in 2020. My Department will continue to work closely with the WRC in monitoring its staffing and budgetary requirements, including anticipating future resource requirements, to ensure that it is supported and adequately resourced to fulfil its role.