asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of staff at present employed by the Director of Consumer Affairs.
394.
Written Answers. - Office of Director of Consumer Affairs.
393.
asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he intends to increase the number of staff working with the Director of Consumer Affairs.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.
The number of staff working full-time with the Director of Consumer Affairs is nine. In addition he shares the services of seven staff who are engaged in secretarial, messenger, telephone and paper-keeping duties with the Registrar of Friendly Societies whose office is located in the same building. I have no proposals at present to increase the number of staff working with the director.
395.
asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of complaints received by the Director of Consumer Affairs in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982.
The number of complaints received by the director about false and misleading trade descriptions and advertisements was 88 in 1979, 352 in 1980 and 700 in 1981. The number of complaints received about unsatisfactory goods and services was 38 in 1979, 3,648 in 1980 and 12,000 in 1981. The figures for 1981 are estimated in both cases. No figures are available for 1982.
Should the Deputy be interested in a more detailed breakdown of the director's activities, I would refer him to the director's annual reports.