Vol. 576 No. 5
125 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to protect young people and children in the workplace; the number of prosecutions that have been taken in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and to date in 2003 under these measures; the number of inspectors monitoring and enforcing these protections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29939/03]
The measures to protect young persons and children in the workplace are set out in the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996. Proceedings, for breaches of the provisions of the Act, may be taken by the labour inspectorate of my Department.
The complement of staff authorised as inspectors in the labour inspectorate is 17. As part of their normal conditions of service, inspectors carry out night-time work and that element of their duties is almost exclusively related to the work of the enforcement of the 1996 Act. In this connection, a regular feature of the work of the inspectorate is targeted inspections for compliance with the Act, by way of out of normal office hours inspection activity, throughout various employment sectors, including fast food outlets, restaurants, licensed premises and hotels.
As part of an overall business process re-engineering project, the labour inspectorate, together with the support units – the information unit and the legal services unit – have recently completed a major review of their respective procedures. In addition, a new, fully integrated computerised case management system went live in June 2003.
I am satisfied this investment, together with the other streamlining measures that have been put in place, will enhance the effectiveness of the inspectorate and will contribute positively to the effort that will be focused on enforcement of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 in the coming months and years. In this regard, I reiterate a call that has been issued previously. If there is evidence employers are breaking the requirements of the Act, it should be brought to the attention of the labour inspectorate for investigation and further action, including, based on sufficient supporting evidence, prosecution.
|
Year |
Daytime |
Nightime |
Totals |
|
2000 |
1,875 |
749 |
2,624 |
|
2001 |
768 |
294 |
1,062 |
|
2002 |
860 |
594 |
1,454 |
|
2003 |
956 |
582 |
1,538 |
|
Totals |
4,459 |
2,219 |
6,678 |
|
Year |
Prosecutions |
Convictions |
Fines € |
|
2000 |
3 |
3 |
200 |
|
2001 |
9 |
9 |
8,700 |
|
2002 |
12 |
12 |
18,070 |
|
2003 |
19 |
19 |
149,650 |
|
Totals |
43 |
43 |
176,620 |
