Kitt Announces Significant Staffing Increase for the Health and Safety Authority.

Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, today (Tuesday, 1st September 1998) announced that he has sanctioned the recruitment of a further 13 staff for the Health and Safety Authority.

"This decision will bring the total staff complement in the Authority to 132 and put it in a better position to meet the ever increasing demands being placed upon it," the Minister said.

Minister Kitt has been conducting a root and branch examination of the needs of the Health and Safety Authority and health and safety in the workplace generally. Two particular issues have come to the fore:

• Firstly, the need for the Health and Safety Authority to gain additional resources if it were to be in a position to continue to properly perform its statutory functions. This is especially so in a climate where it is continuously taking on additional responsibilities coupled with the rapid rate of growth in the workforce.
• Secondly, while additional resources are essential, no amount of health and safety inspectors by themselves will eliminate workplace accidents if employers and workers alike do not take more responsibility for their own safety.

Minister Kitt has pressed the case with Government colleagues for the necessary additional resources for the Authority while, at the same time, urging the representatives of the social partners to do more at the level of the individual workplace to improve the situation.

Against this background, Minister Kitt previously authorised the recruitment of 7 additional personnel as an immediate measure to relieve the pressure under which the Authority was then operating. Now, the Minister has announced a further 13 posts.

The Minister emphasised that "this particular package represents part of an on-going process designed to take account of the development needs of the Authority over the next two to three years as it consolidates its present role and takes on new responsibilities."

Minister Kitt acknowledged the support of his Government colleagues for the approach he has taken in this very important matter and especially the role of the Minister for Finance. Minister Kitt said "This very positive and significant response at political level - an increase of 20 personnel, equivalent to 18%, within the past year - signifies the firm commitment of this Government to protecting the health and safety of our workforce."

In the context of today's news, Minister Kitt - who is currently engaged in a series of meetings with the representative organisations as part of his review process - renewed his call to both employers and employees, "in the spirit of true partnership, to match this commitment of increased resources, by taking all necessary measures to ensure that every workplace becomes accident free."