Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
619. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation why County Waterford is not chosen as one of the adjudication centres for the Workplace Relations Commission; if she will relocate a centre to Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11698/16]
View answerWith effect from 1 October 2015, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal were merged into a new Body of First Instance known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). From 1st October 2015, all complaints fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and on appeal to the Labour Court.
The WRC’s core services include the provision of early resolution, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services, adjudication on employment and equality complaints, the monitoring of employment conditions to ensure the compliance and enforcement of employment rights legislation, the provision of information, and the processing of employment agency and protection of young persons (employment) licences.
You may recall that my predecessor previously indicated in a Workplace Relations Reform “Blueprint” document the intention to consolidate operations and hold WRC hearings in venues that have good roads and public transport links. There were previously over 70 venues used by different workplace bodies, with significant variance in relation to the costs associated with hearing venues. The intention is to have regional centres across the country.
The WRC is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations.
I am informed by the WRC that they are working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works to identify offices/venues for possible use for hearing venues.
I understand from the WRC that the regional venues for hearings are not set in stone and the venues will be reviewed in light of experience, volume of claims in different locations, costs, availability of adjudicators in proximity to hearing venues etc.
