I have already responded to the Deputy’s colleague on this question via Parliamentary Question 29941/21.
To reiterate the points made:
The WRC Inspectorate is staffed by civil servants of my department.
As of 31st May 2021, there are a total of 53 WRC Labour Inspectors. These are supervised by 3 Assistant Principals and 1 Chief Labour Inspector.
There are currently 60 sanctioned Labour Inspector posts (53 EO Inspectors and 7 HEO Inspector Team Managers).
Currently, there are 2 competitions ongoing with the Public Appointments Service. Interviews for a HEO Inspector Team Manager competition have been finalised and WRC expect 2 appointments from that competition shortly. A recruitment drive for inspectors is currently underway.
The WRC’s funding allocation for 2021 is €15.17 million for pay and non-pay. Furthermore, an additional €1 million in Budget was provided to the WRC in Budget 2019.
My Department is committed to ensuring that adequate resourcing is provided to the WRC and I am confident that the resources provided to the WRC is sufficient to enable it deliver on its mandate.