Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
153. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a maximum timeframe for responses on hearings in the Workplace Relations Commission; if there are currently delays in receiving outcomes; the steps being taken to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day-to-day operations.
However, I am informed that the completion of decisions by Adjudication Officers are subject to a range of factors including complexity of legal issues, volume of documentation, length of hearings etc and are generally aimed to be completed within 6-8 weeks of the final hearing.
Once the WRC receives the Adjudication Officer’s final decision, they arrange for this to be issued without delay to both parties. However, if a hearing needs to be rescheduled to facilitate the administration of an oath or other factors, at a subsequent hearing, that will impact on the final decision date. This is outside the control of the WRC.
The WRC is scheduling more cases each week than pre-Covid as they move to proactively address any build-up of cases arising from the pandemic and the recent Supreme Court judgment which requires the introduction of legislation. My department is progressing the necessary legislation through the Oireachtas which will resolve the issues identified by the Supreme Court.
In 2021, the WRC has a target of decisions issuing in 80% of instances within 6 weeks of the hearing concluding. The WRC’s 2021 overall performance will need to be reviewed and understood in the context of the challenges brought about by the Covid19 pandemic. My Department continues to monitor and work with the WRC to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the important work of the Commission.
