Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016
170. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is aware of concerns expressed by members of the Waterford Law Society regarding the use of regional venues for hearings of the Workplace Relations Commission; if he considers Gorey in County Wexford to be a suitable location for adjudication hearings affecting parties in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7208/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1st October 2015, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court were merged into a new Body of First Instance, known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). From 1 October 2015, all complaints fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and, on appeal, to the Labour Court.
The WRC’s core services include the provision of early resolution, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services, adjudication on employment and equality complaints, the monitoring of employment conditions to ensure the compliance and enforcement of employment rights legislation, the provision of information, and the processing of employment agency and protection of young persons (employment) licences.
The WRC is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations.
I am informed that the WRC is working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works to identify offices/venues for possible use for hearing venues. While the WRC is currently using the venue in Gorey, this may change in the context of developments in other venues on a regional structure and having regard to other related factors such as case volume in different regions, development costs, adjudicator location, and transport links.
I understand from the WRC that the regional venues for hearings are not set in stone and the venues will be reviewed in light of experience, volume of claims in different locations, costs, availability of adjudicators in proximity to hearing venues etc.
