Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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611. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department is ensuring decent work and fair pay in new green and tech industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59044/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a priority of Government to ensure safe working environments, fair treatment and fair wages for workers, contributing to quality jobs and improved work life balance.

Ireland has a?robust?suite?of employment rights legislation, which offers extensive protections to workers. The employment rights legislation under my Department’s remit is applied horizontally across all sectors and is not targeted at any particular sector. It is important to note that all employers, regardless of sector, are responsible for ensuring that their employees receive the protections afforded to them under employment legislation.

There is no exemption or separate category under Irish employment law for individuals working in the green and tech industries. Employment rights legislation, including the National Minimum Wage Act, Payment of Wages Act, Organisation of Working Time Act, Employment Equality Acts, Health and Safety Act, Terms of Employment (Information) Act and Unfair Dismissals Act (in certain circumstances), apply horizontally across all sectors.

The employment law for which I have responsibility is kept under continuous review by my Department. Employment rights developments in the last number of years include the new right to request a remote working arrangement, the introduction of statutory sick pay entitlements and the introduction of a Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect.

The Workplace Relations Commission is an independent body set up to adjudicate in individual cases. If an employee has a query about their employment status or believe they may not be receiving all of the protections they are entitled to, the WRC is there to help, through the provision of information as well as an adjudication service. The WRC also operates a labour inspection service to ensure compliance with employment legislation.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. If an employee believes their employment rights have been breached, they can make a complaint to the WRC under the relevant legislation. Where a complaint is upheld, the WRC may award redress or compensation.

Lastly, the recently established Employment Law Review Group will provide independent advice to me as Minister through its agreed work programme on matters relating to employment and redundancy law.