Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Information

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is responsible for implementing and developing Government policy in the areas of enterprise, innovation, the regulation of business and the protection of workers. These responsibilities include the registration of companies, consumer protection, industrial relations and employment conditions. The Department has 5 divisions including Employment Rights and Industrial Relations.

Employment Rights and Industrial Relations

In February 2007 the Employment Rights Information Unit and the Labour Inspectorate were transferred from this division of the Department to the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).

The Employment Rights Legislation Section is responsible for drafting new employment rights legislation and managing its progress through the Oireachtas. The Section is also concerned as to how existing employment rights legislation is working and carries out reviews of legislation where necessary.

This Division includes the Employment Permits Section which issues employment permits.

In January 2011 the Redundancy Payments Section and the Insolvency Payments Section were transferred from this division to the Department of Social Protection.

The work of the Industrial Relations Section includes: developing industrial relations policy, contributing to the National Agreements process and to the development of the partnership approach to industrial relations. It is also responsible for liaising between the Department and the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission.