Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Security Industry Pay.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

123 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the deep disquiet within the security industry that a large number of cowboy security firms are not paying their staff the minimum hourly rate of pay as set out in the registered agreement of 1 May 1984 as updated by the sixth variation in June 1992; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that some of these companies have received State contracts despite their non-compliance with the registered agreement; the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure compliance with the agreement; and if he will monitor the rate of pay received by employees of companies that have been awarded State contracts.

Minister for Labour (Mr. Cowen):

Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the Registered Agreement is a matter for the employers concerned in the first instance. However, the Labour inspectorate of my Department carries out inspections of Security companies covered by the Registered Employment Agreement for the Security Industry to ensure compliance with the Agreement, and where infringements are detected necessary enforcement action is pursued.

In 1991, the Labour Inspectorate carried out 69 inspections of security companies covered by the Agreement and recovered arrears of wages of £4,608 in respect of eight employees in three companies. Legal proceedings have been instituted and are currently awaiting hearing against four security companies which appear to have breached the Agreement. In two of these cases, hearings have been adjourned pending the outcome of a legal challenge to the validity of the Registered Employment Agreement concerned. The challenge, which has been made by the National Union of Security Employers, was heard in the High Court from 7 to 9 July 1992 and the judgment is awaited.

As Minister for Labour, I have no statutory responsibility for the terms and conditions applied by State and semi-State bodies, other than those bodies for which I have direct responsibility. However, I would naturally be especially concerned if security companies which hold contracts from State and semi-State bodies were in breach of the Agreement. It has been brought to the notice of all relevant Ministers that companies covered by the Agreement should be required by all State bodies granting contracts to give undertakings that they complied fully with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and that an appropriate clause should be included to that effect in all contracts being granted to private sector companies covered by the Agreement.

If the Deputy is aware of any security company in respect of contracts undertaken, either in the public or private sectors, which is not in compliance with the Agreement, I would appreciate it if he would give me the name of the company responsible and I will ensure that the matter is investigated and appropriate action is taken.