Vol. 511 No. 6
57 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace inspections carried out during 1999 by inspectors under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996; the number of breaches detected in these inspections; when inspections outside of working hours will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25024/99]
In the period 1 January – 26 November 1999 a total of 707 inspections for conformity with the Protection of Young Persons Act, 1996, were carried out by the labour inspectorate. In these inspections approximately 280 breaches of the Act were detected. Most of these breaches were of a minor nature resulting in the issue of appropriate written warnings to the employers concerned. In 11 cases, however, the breaches were more substantive and these, together with four other breaches brought to attention through complaints received from the public, are under active consideration with a view to possible institution of prosecution proceedings.
Out-of-normal-office-hours inspection work in respect of the Act began in the week commencing 15 November 1999. In the five-week period up to Saturday 18, December 1999, all labour inspectors are participating in the first night-time campaign targeted exclusively on enforcement of the Protection of Young Persons Act, 1996, in the pub, hotel and catering sectors. This campaign is being carried out with a special focus on establishments in the Dublin and Cork urban areas.
