In conjunction with the introduction by this Government of a national minimum wage in 2000, the Government authorised an increase in the Labour Inspectorate to 17 inspectors which equated to almost a 100% increase in personnel. As pointed out in a recent report carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers that number has fluctuated in the interim. I am pleased to report that, as of this week, the Inspectorate is again at full strength.
The consultants' report to which I refer was completed following an intensive business process re-engineering project across the entire employment rights enforcement section of my Department. The consultants found that it was difficult to determine an appropriate yardstick to define what the appropriate number of inspectors should be. They linked the size of the Inspectorate to the Department's level of ambition in relation to conducting targeted investigations and following up on complaints received.
The level of ambition of the work of the Inspectorate will be pursued in the context of the Inspectorate's business plan for 2002. The issue of staffing resources will be addressed in this connection.
Since January 2001, 18 cases have been brought forward for prosecution. Of these, one case was struck out, another could not proceed as the company was dissolved and four cases were settled prior to hearing. The remaining 12 cases resulted in convictions and fines, including in most instances the awarding of expenses and costs. The breaches detected came under the Industrial Relations Acts, the Organisation of Working Time Act, the Protection of Young Persons Act and the Payment of Wages Act. In certain cases there were multiple breaches involving several pieces of legislation.
