Vol. 558 No. 4
155 Mr. Dennehy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that there are sufficient inspectors to enforce the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996; and if she has satisfied herself that sufficient measures are in place to discourage young people from excessive part-time work during the school week. [24767/02]
In conjunction with the introduction 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. While the actual number of serving inspectors has fluctuated in the interim the inspectorate is now operating to full strength.
Inspectors carry out night-time work as part of their normal conditions of service and that element of their duties is almost exclusively related to the work of the enforcement of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996. Targeted inspections by way of out of normal office hours inspection activity, throughout various employment sectors, including fast food outlets, restaurants, licensed premises and hotels are a regular feature of the work of the inspectorate.
During the years 2000 to date some 1,235 night-time inspections were undertaken while there were 3,421 day-time inspections during the same period. In addition, the employment rights information unit of my Department concluded a proactive awareness campaign earlier this year whereby all secondary schools were circulated with information on all aspects of employment law, including details of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996. Staff of that unit also visit secondary schools, citizen information centres and other organisations to disseminate information on general labour law, including the protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996.
