Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Workplace Relations Commission on-site inspections carried out in 2024, in tabular form, by month and sector, with compliance rate and reasons for non-compliance included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.

The WRC conducts inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with certain employment law statutes. Targeted inspections arise for a number of reasons including; as a result of complaints received of alleged non-compliance, or by way of strategically planned compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or focus on specific employment law statutes.

The primary aim of the WRC is to achieve voluntary compliance through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. Whilst every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers may refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. When these situations arise, they are referred by the WRC’s inspectorate for prosecution.

The attached table 1 sets out the on-site inspections carried out in 2024, in tabular form, by month and sector. Table 1 gives the overview for 2024 (Jan-Apr). It includes:

• No of inspections carried out by month and sector.
• Employers found in breach by month and sector.
• No of employees covered by inspections sector.
• Unpaid wages recovered by month and sector.