Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 5

Written Answers. - Workplace Inspections.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

64 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is satisfactory that no inspections have taken place later than 10 p.m. under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996, having regard to the provisions of the Act relating to young people working after this time; the steps, if any, she will take to ensure that workplace inspections take place at all relevant hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12227/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

In earlier replies to similar questions on this issue I detailed the requirements imposed on employers by the Protection of Young Persons Act, 1996, and how the Act seeks to protect the welfare of children, persons under 16 years of age and young persons, 17 and 18 year olds. The Act seeks to protect the welfare of young persons in the workplace by requiring employers to keep wages and employment records detailing the hours of work of any such young persons, rest intervals etc. The Act also lays down specific limits as to the hours that can be worked by young persons and prohibits the employment of persons under 18 in late night work.

The Act is administered by the employment rights division of my Department and is enforced by the labour inspectorate within that division. Inspections of employers' records are carried out based on complaints received about specific breaches of the Act and as a matter of routine. Breaches of the Act can be detected by close examination of these records. Inspections take place during normal office hours as the majority of employers carry on business during these hours. Enforcement experience has shown that the majority of employers found to be in breach of the Act are willing to adjust their practices to conform with the legal requirements. To ensure that corrective measures are taken by employers in such instances and that further breaches do not occur a follow-up inspection is usually carried out after a suitable lapse of time.

I am satisfied that the methodology adopted in relation to inspection work in relation to the Protection of Young Persons Act, 1996, is reasonable and that inspections are organised and targeted in a way that makes most efficient use of the enforcement resources available to me. A comprehensive six month long enforcement campaign commenced by the labour inspectorate last month and focusing on the catering sector nationwide is continuing. It is expected that 1,000 cross legislation inspections will be carried out in the course of this campaign, particular attention being paid to compliance with the Protection of Young Persons Act, 1996.

In the circumstances, I am satisfied that all reasonable measures are being taken to enforce the 1996 Act with a view to safeguarding the rights of young persons in the workplace. I am conscious of the concerns expressed by various groups in relation to the exploitation by less scrupulous employers of young persons and would urge anyone with information in relation to breaches of the Act to notify the employment rights division of such breaches. I am confident that all such reported breaches will be dealt with expediently and that every effort will be made by the officials of my Department to eradicate non-compliance with this and indeed any other employment rights legislation.