The Workplace Relations Commission only has 53 labour inspectors, when its authorised staffing complement is 90, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment Damien English told the Dáil this evening.
He was responding to Sinn Féin Enterprise, Trade and Employment spokesperson Louise O'Reilly, who asked when the additional labour inspectors would be recruited.
She noted that in 2006, it had been agreed that the number of inspectors should be increased from 31 to 90, but stressed that at that time, the workforce was smaller than it is now.
She described inspectors as an essential part of the industrial relations machinery, as in some sectors, workers might not be aware of their rights, English might not be their first language, or they might be afraid of an employer.
She said that between 2015 and 2020, inspectors had found employment law breaches in 48% of inspections in meat factories, as well as recovering €184,000 on behalf of workers who had been underpaid.
Ms. O'Reilly also told the Dáil that during 92 WRC inspections in the horseracing and equine industry over a period of 2 years, 340 contraventions were detected.
She said that if there were more inspectors they could do more for employees.
Responding, Minister of State English, who has responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses, confirmed that as of 19 March, the complement of inspectors stood at 53, but acknowledged that more were needed, and that a recruitment process was in train through the Public Appointments Service.
He said that in 2020, the WRC had carried out over 7000 inspections and recovered 1.7 million in unpaid wages.
He noted that the inspectors were also playing a role in site inspections related to the Covid-19 Return to Work Safely Protocol.
He said the WRC had been allocated additional funding since 2019.
Ms. O'Reilly asked the Minister to specify when the target figure of 90 would be reached and suggested that the target should now be even higher.
The Minister reiterated that the government was committed to working with the WRC to increase resources to match needs.
