Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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69. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department collates data regarding the number of businesses found to be employing foreign nationals illegally; if so, if he will provide this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The WRC’s Inspection and Enforcement Services have primary responsibility for driving employment and employment permit legislation compliance in Ireland. This is achieved through a combination of targeted inspections, assisting non-compliant employers in becoming complaint and robust prosecution and enforcement where they do not, and direct and indirect information provision for employers and employees in relation to employment rights and responsibilities.

WRC inspection activity is generally focused on sectors where a risk of non-compliance has been identified or where previous non-compliance has been detected, through intelligence or information provided by other bodies or persons (including other State bodies) or in response to specific complaints received regarding alleged non-compliance by specific employers. To monitor and record inspection activity the WRC operates a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system to record and track inspections.

WRC Inspectors are also authorised to exercise powers on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Employment Permit Acts. If an inspector detects an employee working without a valid employment permit the WRC has the authority to initiate a prosecution against the employer on behalf of the Minister under the Employment Permits legislation.

The attached table 1 outlines the yearly convictions under the Employment Permit Acts in the period 2020-2023.