asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the deplorable working conditions in some hotels and catering institutions; and if he will take immediate steps to improve the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Catering Industry Working Conditions.
12.
Reports of bad conditions in certain hotels have been brought to my attention.
At present eight inspectors are employed in enforcing Employment Regulation Orders which prescribe statutory minimum rates of pay, overtime, working hours and holiday entitlement.
When I have assembled more information on this whole area, I will consider what steps I should take, by legislation or otherwise, to improve conditions.
With this in mind, I would intend in due course to meet both employers and unions to discuss the matter.
Is the Minister satisfied that the present position regarding the manner in which persons who have received training in the CERT training school are recruited for hotel work?
That is another question.
With respect, I think the matter is covered in my original question.
I understood that the Deputy asked a question in his supplementary about CERT and that would be a totally different question. I have answered the Deputy as adequately as I can about the question of deplorable working conditions.
Does the Minister not know the answer to the Deputy's supplementary? It is for the Ceann Comhairle to decide whether it is a separate question.
The Ceann Comhairle has no control over Ministers' replies.
Does the Minister not agree that he has powers under present legislation to deal with matters like this? Where his inspectors bring to his attention the fact that employees in hotels are being paid less than the statutory wages what action does he take in such cases? I should also like to know if he has taken action in certain cases brought to his attention?
In the case of the question by the Deputy from west Mayo I can inform him that 60 hotels in County Mayo come within the scope of the Hotels Regulation Order. All have been visited at least once since June of this year with the exception of seven in Ballina. One irregularity was found and that was an underpayment in an hotel in Claremorris.
I asked a supplementary but I did not receive any reply.
Under the Labour Court my inspectors enforce Employment Regulation Orders for the rest of the country outside of Dublin, Dún Laoghaire and Cork. As I have already announced, certain reports have been made available to me pointing out certain conditions which fall below these minimum regulations and it would mean that the inspectorate would have to be further expanded.
I asked a supplementary about a particular case brought to the attention of the Minister of an hotel owner not paying statutory wages to employees. Where this was brought to his attention was any action taken on it?
Yes.
I am disappointed that the Minister did not make an attempt to answer my question regarding the recruitment of workers from CERT. Is the Minister aware that people who have had CERT training are now being asked to work in hotels for as long as 56 hours a week for the sum of £6?
As I have stated, I have power under Employment Regulation Orders, if they are being broken in respect of hours of work or pay, to regulate that position with the employers.