Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
68. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is proposing any measures in relation to enhanced enforcement of immigration compliance in the workplace to minimise illegal employment of foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment is to increase targeted workplace inspections in sectors or firms where there is an increased risk or reports of non-compliance with the range of employment and workplace requirements and permit regulations as part of a suite of measures announced by the Government last week.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) will increase its workplace inspections in such sectors and firms where there is an increased risk or reports of non-compliance with employment rights and employment permits legislation.
The WRC conducted 4,100 unannounced inspections during 2023 and has conducted 1,400 unannounced inspections to end April, 2024.
The WRC is currently, as a matter of urgency, examining the feasibility of extending this model of compliance checks to targeted sectors in the day-time economy to provide more opportunity to inspect larger volumes of employers in the risk sectors including the food and drink, hairdressing and beauty, meat processing and construction sectors.
The EU-wide 2024 EMPACT Labour Exploitation campaign took place during the week of 20-27 April, 2024 in which WRC inspectors carried out risk based inspections throughout Ireland on employers in a number of sectors of the economy. In total, some 225 unannounced inspections were carried out by the WRC in conjunction with JIU partners from Revenue, DSP and An Garda Síochána. During the campaign 219 contraventions of legislation were detected including 28 contraventions under Employment Permits legislation.
The WRC will continue to carry out co-operative work with Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and An Garda Síochána through information-sharing and in joint operations.
