asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied that the law in relation to the employment of minors is not being contravened in some hotels and restaurants in Portlaoise, County Laois.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Employment of Minors.
1.
In the course of inspections of a number of hotels and restaurants in the Portlaoise area in the last 12 months some infringements of the Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1977 were discovered. In the case of the most serious of these I have referred the papers to the Chief State Solicitor. Warnings were issued in the other cases and further recent inspections of them have revealed no serious infringements of the Act. The position will be kept under surveillance by the inspectorate of my Department.
While it is gratifying to hear the Minister has taken such action, might I ask him does he have to hear? Does a complaint have to be made or is there any process whereby he would become aware of this, simply in his Department, in respect of other hotels all over Ireland where a certain amount of this appears to go on? Is the Minister satisfied with the efficiency of the process?
I assured the Deputy and the House some months ago that any complaints made in connection with that Act would certainly be acted upon. In addition the House will be pleased to hear that the new Employment Regulation Order which came into effect on Monday, 9 October for workers employed in the catering industry will ensure that inspections of restaurants, cafés and so on will be carried out at regular intervals by the general inspectorate.
Is the Minister satisfied with the number of inspectors he has policing the provisions of this Act? There have been reports especially over the summer months—whether substantiated or otherwise—that the provisions of this Act have been infringed in many resorts in the country. Is the Minister satisfied with the number of inspectors he now has? Has he any plans to increase the number, or has the number been increased?
I am happy with the number of inspectors.
What is the number?
That is a separate question. I want to assure the Deputy again that if he has any specific complaints and if he has them conveyed to me, or to the Department, I will ensure that they are acted upon.
Would there be three inspectors dealing with this?
Question No. 2.