The activities of the employment agency referred to in the question are currently being investigated within my Department. There is a policy in place in my Department whereby the processing of work permit applications for any employer is suspended when the Department becomes aware of any concerns regarding that employer's compliance with the obligations set out in the various employment rights enactments. If there is evidence that particular employers are exploiting foreign workers employed under the work permit system, I would ask that it be brought to the attention of the labour inspectorate for investigation and further action.
The labour inspectorate of my Department is responsible for monitoring certain employment conditions for all categories of workers in Ireland, including foreign workers employed under the work permit system. Inspectors pursue allegations of worker mistreatment for all the various categories of workers employed in Ireland and when evidence of non-compliance with the relevant employment rights legislation is found, the Inspectorate seek redress for the individuals concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. The Inspectorate operates objectively, fairly, impartially and without any differentiation with respect to worker nationality as statutory employment rights and protections apply to foreign workers employed under the work permit system in exactly the same manner as it does to native Irish or EU workers.
