asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the percentage of registered premises visited (61.6 per cent.) under the Factory and Workshops Acts, 1901-1920, during the year 1947 is below the average percentage for the years 1924-1939; and, if so, whether he will state if this reduced inspection is satisfactory from the point of view of the adequate inspection of registered premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Factory Inspections.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I would like to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. I am sending to the Deputy a schedule showing the number of factory inspectors engaged in each of the years from 1924 to 1948.
The percentage of registered premises visited under the Factory and Workshops Acts during 1947 was below the average for the years 1924-1939. The decrease was largely due to a substantial increase in the number of premises on the register and to the fact that the inspectorate staff was not at full strength.
The following table sets out the numbers of factory inspectors engaged in actual inspectorial duties in each of the years from 1924 to 1948, inclusive.
|
Year ended |
|
|
1924 |
6 |
|
1925 |
12 |
|
1926 |
13 |
|
1927 |
14 |
|
1928 |
13 |
|
1929 |
14 |
|
1930 |
14 |
|
1931 |
13 |
|
1932 |
8 |
|
1933 |
9 |
|
1934 |
11 |
|
1935 |
12 |
|
1936 |
13 |
|
1937 |
19 |
|
1938 |
19 |
|
1939 |
20 |
|
1940 |
15 |
|
1941 |
15 |
|
1942 |
8 |
|
1943 |
9 |
|
1944 |
13 |
|
1945 |
9 |
|
1946 |
16 |
|
1947 |
15 |
|
1948 |
12 |