Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013
382. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current waiting times for hearings of the Employment Appeals Tribunal in each region; and his proposals to reduce same. [23748/13]
View answerThe Employment Appeals Tribunal is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. The Tribunal is one of the front-line services directly affected by the current turbulence in the labour market. The Tribunal hears claims under 18 separate pieces of legislation, some of which are lodged as direct claims to the Tribunal and others which come to the Tribunal by way of appeal or implementation of a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation/decision.
I am informed that the current average waiting periods by region are as follows:
|
Region |
Average Waiting Times for Hearing |
|
Dublin |
70 weeks |
|
Country Regions (outside Dublin) |
79 weeks |
The Tribunal conducts hearings in about 31 locations. Where the number of cases is relatively small, the Tribunal may wait until a sufficient number of cases are on hand to make a visit worthwhile. In such areas, 5 days of Hearings may reduce the “waiting time” in the area concerned by 30 to 40 weeks. I understand that the Tribunal targets areas with the longest waiting period and highest level of claims outstanding; within the resources it has currently available.
The Tribunal is pro-active in driving efficiencies. Divisions of the Tribunal are sitting longer, hearing more cases per hearing and seeking to manage the caseload to maximise efficiency. As part of the drive for efficiencies the Tribunal streams cases that are envisaged to be more straight-forward. These efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the number of claims disposed of over the past few years (2010 – up 30%, 2011 – up 11% and 2012 up 13%).
I believe it is essential that we have efficient and effective mechanisms to develop harmonious and productive workplaces and to assist employers and employees to avoid and resolve disputes.
When I came into office in 2011, I inherited a system for resolving employment disputes that did not achieve this. The system was frustrating for employers, employees and professionals representing them. Notwithstanding the efforts of the EAT and others to reduce backlogs, I believe the delays that users of the service are experiencing are unacceptable.
It is for these reasons I am undertaking a root and branch reform of all five Workplace Relations Bodies. The Reform Programme I have commenced will deliver a World-Class Workplace Relations structure. I propose to establish a two-tier Workplace Relations structure. This means that from next year two statutorily independent bodies will replace the current five. We will have a new single body of first instance to be called the Workplace Relations Commission and a separate appeals body, which will effectively be an expanded Labour Court. All complaints will be dealt with by a single body of first instance where the aim will be to have a hearing within three months from the time the case is lodged.
