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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Dec 1932

Vol. 45 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Inspectors.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of senior industrial inspectors and industrial inspectors employed on the inspection of workshops and factories on October 31st, 1931, and October 31st, 1932; (b) whether any such inspectors have been transferred to other sections of his or any other Department for other work, and, if so, when and how many such transfers were made; (c) how many such inspectors are now engaged whole-time in the work of inspection of factories and workshops.

At the end of October, 1931, two senior industrial inspectors and ten industrial inspectors were employed on inspection work. At the end of October, 1932, the number had been reduced by one senior industrial inspector. Last week, owing to abnormal pressure of work, five industrial inspectors were transferred to another section of my Department; this is an emergency measure only, and it is my intention to restore the inspectorate to its full strength as soon as circumstances permit.

As regards the last part of the question, one senior industrial inspector and five inspectors are now engaged wholetime in the work of inspection of factories and workshops.

As I understand the reply, twelve months ago there were two senior industrial inspectors and ten industrial inspectors employed under the Workshops and Factories Act.

Notwithstanding that, to-day, although we have a far greater number of factories, the number of inspectors has been reduced by fifty per cent.

In his reply, the Minister stated that twelve months ago we had two senior industrial inspectors and ten industrial inspectors employed on inspection work, and to-day engaged on the work for which they were appointed there are one senior industrial inspector and five inspectors.

I explained that five industrial inspectors have been temporarily transferred to deal with the rush of work in another section of my Department but they will be restored as soon as circumstances permit.

Will the Minister explain who will look after factory inspection in the meantime?

The factory inspectors.

Can the Minister tell the House why, if it was necessary twelve months ago to have two senior industrial inspectors and ten inspectors to look after the number of factories then in existence in the Free State (Interruption). May we be protected from brays by the ass! The Parliamentary Secretary is living up to his old record. He has been conducting himself for a comparatively short time. I want to know from the Minister if he considers that one senior industrial inspector and five other inspectors are sufficient to look after the increased number of factories and workshops.

The Minister says no. Will he state when he will be in a position to appoint a sufficient number of inspectors?

I have already explained twice that five inspectors have been temporarily transferred from their customary work owing to a rush of work in another section of the Department, and that they will be restored to their original duties as soon as circumstances will permit.

Can the Minister tell us when that will be?

As soon as most of the work is dealt with, or a permanent staff to do the work has been secured.

The factories can do what they like in the meantime.

Is it part of the inspectors' duties to insist on forms being filled up by those in control of the factories stating that they have just begun to occupy these factories?

That is a separate question.

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