asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that certain private employment agencies exist which charge fees on the pretext of finding positions for those seeking employment and in some cases demand a second fee from them; and, if so, whether he will state if there is any supervision exercised by his Department over such agencies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Employment Agencies.
My Department does not exercise supervision over employment agencies and I have no official information as to the manner in which these agencies operate. In areas such as the County Boroughs of Dublin and Cork, where Section 85 of the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1907, has been adopted, female domestic servants' registries are obliged to register with the local authority; the local authority has power to make by-laws for the regulation of the business and inspectors of the local authority are entitled to inspect registry offices.
If the Deputy has any information that any employment agencies are obtaining money on false pretences, I shall, of course, instruct the police to investigate, if the Deputy communicates the information to me.