Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Michael Ring

Question:

213 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if he will reaffirm if there are 40 full-time jobs and 70 part-time jobs at an Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted factory in Belmullet, County Mayo (details supplied); if he will give a detailed breakdown of the 40 full-time jobs; the type of jobs the part-time work entails; if children are involved in the work; the frequency with which the 70 part-time jobs are filled; the hours involved; and the current employment level of this company, both full-time and part-time. [16218/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Mary Coughlan)

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is primarily a matter for the undertaking itself and Údarás na Gaeltachta and normally would not be provided in a reply to a parliamentary question as it is a day to day operational issue. In the week ending 18 May a total of 112 workers – 42 full-time and 70 part-time – were employed in the business. The full-time jobs were in the following categories:

Managers	2
Administration	1
Supervisors	5
Cleaning and maintenance	3
Production, etc.	31
Total	42

The part-time jobs fall within the production category and the hours of work of the part-time employees depend not only on the requirements of the business but, in some instances, on the wishes of the employees. Some young persons from 16 to 18 years of age are employed in the business and children, legally defined as such, of 15 years of age are employed on a part-time basis of four to six hours per week, doing light work in accordance with legal requirements. During school holidays a small number of children of 14 years of age are also employed on a part-time basis, doing light work, in accordance with legal requirements.

The hours of work for the labour force varies from week to week for the full-time workers from 22 to 39 plus hours per week and for the part-time workers from five to 15 hours per week, on average, and young persons employed in the business are done so in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996.