Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when this Deputy can expect a substantive reply to an as-of-yet unacknowledged email representation dated 4 October 2022, on the non-payment of wages to Irish film production workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51124/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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An automated acknowledgement issued from my office on the 4 October 2022 and a substantive reply issued to the Deputy on the 13 October 2022.

Ireland has a comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation that protects all employees who are legally employed on a contract of service basis. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for achieving compliance with employment law in the State. The functions of the WRC include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.

In circumstances where an employee has not been paid all the wages they are owed, the disputed sum may be considered a 'deduction' under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, and the impacted employee could bring a claim before the WRC. Complaints under the Act may be made using the online complaint form on the WRC's website which can be accessed at Making a Complaint - Workplace Relations Commission.

The WRC also provides a telephone information service. This service is manned by experienced WRC information officers and may be accessed at 059 917 8990 or 0818 80 80 90. The service is operational from 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects. Screen Ireland is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media which approves funding applications by producer companies through section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Certification by the Minister is granted in accordance with regulations made under section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act S.I. No. 119/2019 Film Regulations 2019 and S.I. No. 120/2019 Film (Commencement Order) Regulations 2019.