In conjunction with the introduction by this Government of a national minimum wage in 2000, the Government authorised an increase in the labour inspectorate to 17 inspectors which equated to almost a 100% increase in personnel. As pointed out in a recent report carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers that number has fluctuated in the interim. While the inspectorate was returned to full strength recently that position has now changed in that two officers have just been reassigned on promotion. Arrangements for replacements are in train and I expect the matter will be addressed in the next four weeks.
The consultants' report to which I refer was completed following an intensive business process re-engineering project across the entire employment rights enforcement section of my Department. The consultants found that it was difficult to determine an appropriate yardstick to define what the appropriate number of inspectors should be. They linked the size of the inspectorate to the Department's level of ambition in relation to conducting targeted investigations and following up on complaints received.
The level of ambition of the work of the inspectorate will be pursued in the context of the inspectorate's business plan for 2002. The issue of staffing resources will be addressed in this connection. During 2000, 45 cases were referred to the Chief State Solicitor for prosecution for breaches of employment rights legislation. Some 12 cases were successfully prosecuted in the year leading to convictions and fines and 14 cases were settled-withdrawn without court proceedings. The remaining cases were carried forward as ongoing.
