Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of Health and Safety Authority inspectors; how many more inspectors it is planned to hire in 2024; and how many are expected to retire. [2840/24]
View answerThe Health and Safety Authority has sanction for 317 staffing positions, made up of those in administration and inspector grades. The inspector grades comprise of Grade I (senior inspectors) as well as Grade II and Grade III inspectors. Inspectors operate across all of the Health and Safety Authority’s broad mandates which include occupational health and safety, chemicals, accreditation, and market surveillance.
As of 31st December 2023, the Health and Safety Authority employed 147 staff as inspectors at Grade I, Grade II and Grade III.
Across its entire staff, including administrative staff, the Health and Safety Authority has 55 WTE positions currently vacant, 38 of which relate to the position of Grade III inspector. As of 31st December 2023, there were 19 pending appointments to Grade III positions, whereby candidates who were successful following a recruitment campaign in Q4 2023 are under consideration for appointment to vacant positions across various grades. The necessary pre-clearance processes are now underway, after which contracts will be issued to successful candidates.
Recruitment processes are planned within the Health and Safety Authority to fill a range of positions including inspector roles throughout 2024. Recruitment campaigns will be launched in 2024 for various inspector roles at Grades I, II and III.
The age at which a public servant may retire (minimum retirement age), and the age at which they must retire (compulsory retirement age), varies across public service groups and depends on the terms and conditions which prevailed at the time of their recruitment. Seven serving inspectors are eligible to avail of retirement in 2024.
