asked the Minister for Labour the number of private employment agencies operating in this country; whether any of these are subsidiaries of companies with headquarters outside the State; and if he is satisfied with the present position regarding the establishment and operation of the agencies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Employment Agencies.
60.
92 private firms hold licences under the Employment Agency Act, 1971. In addition, my Department are in touch with 40 other firms which they consider come within the scope of the Act. A small number of agencies appear to have some association with agencies operating in other countries but their applications for licences met all the statutory requirements. Under the Act a licence must be granted to an applicant who meets the statutory requirements.
Licensed agencies are inspected by officers of my Department and these inspections have shown that the agencies generally comply with the provisions of the Act.
On the basis of present information, I have no grounds for adopting further measures to regulate the establishment and operation of these agencies. Very few complaints have been received against them and these are fully investigated. However, the Act is a comparatively new one and the position of these agencies, in relation to placing people in employment and providing temporary workers on a contract basis, is being kept under continuing review. I am also, of course, keeping in touch with international developments about the regulation of these agencies.