asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of factory inspectors attached to his Department and the number operating in the Dublin area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Factory Inspectors.
92.
The normal serving staff of the industrial inspectorate consists of one Chief Inspector, four senior industrial inspectors and 16 industrial inspectors. Owing to recent retirements there are at present three vacancies in the grade of industrial inspector. Arrangements are in hand to fill these vacancies.
The disposition of the inspectors is kept flexible and is subject to change from week to week to meet requirements in the carrying out of their statutory functions. There is no set assignment of inspectors to the Dublin area: this week there are ten inspectors operating there.
93.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the functions of a factory inspector.
The statutory function of a factory inspector is to assist the Minister for Industry and Commerce in seeing that workers get the protection as to safety, health and welfare which the law says they should have in the places where they work. The inspector, of course, goes beyond this in that he is charged not only with enforcing the law but with assisting occupiers by counsel and advice on problems relating to safety and health.
Is there any obligation on these inspectors to consult with employees' representatives at the various factories? Does the Minister not agree that they consult mainly with the employers?
There is certainly machinery there to enable employees to be consulted also.
I know that. I am asking would the Minister take the precaution of ensuring that they consult with employees also?