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Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2005

Thursday, 3 March 2005

Ceisteanna (135, 136)

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

135 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of posts for labour inspectors in his Department; the number of such posts that are vacant; his plans to add to the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7298/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

136 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors who were out on loan during the EU Presidency; if all of these inspectors have returned to the inspectorate; if any labour inspector has been transferred out of the inspectorate to other divisions of his Department in the past two years; if such transferees have returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7299/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

There are 21 labour inspector posts and at present there are 17.5 officers serving in the inspectorate. In addition one inspector is currently on long term sick leave and one job sharing inspector is on extended unpaid leave. A further two inspectors are currently engaged in work with the employment appeals tribunal to assist with processing a backlog of cases.

One inspector was on loan to the Department of Foreign Affairs during the Irish Presidency of the EU and returned to the inspectorate in July 2004. In addition ten inspectors were involved in Presidency related work at various stages during the first half of 2004.

As agreed in the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, four additional labour inspectors were appointed earlier this year. This increased the complement of inspectors to 21. The review of the mandate and resourcing of the labour inspectorate contains a wide ranging analysis of various options regarding the enforcement of employment rights, including the powers of the inspectorate and the number of inspectors required in the future. The report is currently being considered by the social partners.

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