Vol. 542 No. 2
163 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which prices are inspected and monitored by her Department; the number of additional inspectors she is providing to ensure consumers are protected from unnecessary price increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24262/01]
Since the abolition of price control in the 1980s, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has had no function in relation to either the inspection or monitoring of prices. Statistics relating to prices are collected and disseminated by the Central Statistics Office.
The approved complement of the inspectorate of the Director of Consumer Affairs is 24, following Department of Finance approval for the director to retain, in connection with the changeover to the euro, an additional 12 posts temporarily sanctioned in 2000.
