Departmental Bodies.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2006

Wednesday, 31 May 2006

Ceisteanna (98)

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

98 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there are sufficient secretaries available to the Employment Appeals Tribunal; if his attention has been drawn to reports that a lack of secretaries has caused material delays in hearings at the tribunal; if, in view the small number of additional secretaries appointed in recent years and the significant delays in hearings in some areas, an increase in secretaries would reduce delays; if he will appoint an adequate number of secretaries to the Employment Appeals Tribunal sufficient to reduce the long delays in hearings, particularly outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21234/06]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The number and complexity of cases which have been referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal has been increasing steadily over recent years. This has put a strain on the Tribunal's ability to maintain acceptable standards of service.

I am aware that there are delays in hearing cases and issuing determinations which I have asked the Department to examine in consultation with the Chairperson of the Tribunal and to bring forward proposals to resolve the issue.

The number of secretaries in the Tribunal was increased by 2 in 2004. The current number is 11 plus other supervisory and secretarial staff.