Paul Murphy
Question:184. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the future work plan of the Workplace Relations Commission. [43852/20]
View answerThursday, 17 December 2020
Questions (184)
Written answers
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Work programme for 2021 was approved by the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail on 3 December 2020.
During 2021, the WRC will continue to improve remote services being provided and will also further develop the technological platforms and broader administrative and physical infrastructure within WRC offices to facilitate this.
Throughout the year, the WRC will work pro-actively with stakeholders, key influencers, companies and organisations nationally to support deeper understanding of good practice, prevent breaches, including those relating to exploitative labour practices, and embed a culture of good workplace relations.
The WRC will carry out awareness raising campaigns in 2021, including on the role of the WRC in receiving and processing equal status complaints with particular emphasis on persons from the most discriminated against minority ethnic communities, and from the LGBT+ community.
The WRC will upgrade its internal ICT platforms and will develop a Self-Service Portal which will allow users of the WRC’s services to monitor case progress, upload documents, view and accept hearing dates, or submit a postponement request. This will bring about improved customer satisfaction, efficiencies and earlier hearings.
The Work Plan recognises too that while some of the changes to delivery may be incorporated into the WRC services in the longer term, the traditional “face to face” approaches to resolving collective and individual disputes, adjudication is optimal and will be re-activated as circumstances permit.
My Department will continue to work closely with the WRC in the areas of ICT support, staff resources, legislative requirements and funding to ensure that it is adequately supported to fulfil its important role.