Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to the workplace relations programme by his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State’s dispute resolution mechanisms for industrial relations and employment rights disputes comprise the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the Labour Court and residual functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT). These are independent, statutory bodies, which are funded by my Department.
The WRC was established in 2015 and its functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. The Labour Court is the court of last resort in industrial relations disputes and since 2015, is the main appellate body in appeals of decisions of the WRC’s adjudication services. As the WRC and the Labour Court now carry out the functions of the EAT, it will be dissolved in accordance with the Workplace Relations Act 2015, on completion of its legacy caseload.
My Department works closely with the workplace relations bodies in monitoring their resource requirements. I am satisfied that the funding allocation to the bodies is sufficient to enable them deliver on their important work.
The Table attached sets out the amount of funding that was allocated to the workplace relations programme in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Table 1: Workplace Relations programme allocation 2021 – 2023, €,000
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Workplace Relations Programme - Pay |
€15,503 |
€16,029 |
€17,285 |
|
Workplace Relations Programme – Non-Pay |
€3,104 |
€3,104 |
€3,154 |
|
Workplace Relations Programme – Pensions |
€983 |
€983 |
€1,008 |
|
Total: |
€19,590 |
€20,116 |
€21,447 |
