Vol. 570 No. 2
95 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the major decline in workplace inspections by labour inspectors during the first four months of 2003; if it is intended to increase the number of inspections in the coming months; if it is intended to allocate additional staff or resources for such inspections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18456/03]
The reason for the decline in labour inspectorate workplace inspections during the first four months of 2003 relates to demands placed on labour inspectorate staff arising from the implementation of a new computer system.
In 2001, as part of a continuing process to strengthen and modernise employment rights enforcement a major business process re-engineering exercise took place in the employment rights unit of my Department, including the labour inspectorate. That exercise produced a variety of recommendations, including one to replace the existing computer system. Following a lengthy tendering process, due to the high level of responses from interested parties, work on the development of a new system commenced at the end of August 2002.
Following initial technical development the first prototype appeared in January 2003. As development progressed and greater functionality was added, including modules with direct implications for inspectors' working procedures, the testing regime inevitably became more complex and substantial. In particular, during the months of March, April and May, the development phase was at its most intense and in parallel with this development curve all inspectors and administrative staff were committed almost exclusively to the testing exercise. This level of commitment eased as the final release drew near and the system was formally launched on time on June 17.
