Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
281. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of inspectors employed by the HSA, by section in each of the years from 2016 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47106/26]
View answer282. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of fatal workplace incidents recorded by the HSA, by workplace category in each of the years from 2016 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47107/26]
View answer283. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of workplace inspections undertaken by the HSA, by workplace category in each of the years from 2016 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47108/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 282 and 283 together.
Ireland maintains a comprehensive and robust occupational safety and health regulatory framework. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that all employed and self-employed, and those affected by work activity, are protected from work-related injury and ill health. This is done by enforcing occupational health and safety law, promoting accident prevention, and providing information, guidance, and advice across all sectors of the economy. The Government is therefore committed to ensuring that the HSA is appropriately resourced to carry out its important statutory function.
With regard to the number of inspectors employed by the HSA, please see the below table broken down by year and division within the HSA. Please note with regard to this table that the HSA was restructured in 2022.
It is important to note that while the Authority’s human resources include staff in both administration and inspector grades, not all staff classified under inspector grades are directly involved in conducting inspections.
Inspector grades comprise Grade I (senior inspectors), as well as Grade II and Grade III inspectors. However, staff in these grades undertake a variety of roles across the Authority’s legislative mandates, which encompass occupational health, occupational safety, chemicals, accreditation, and market surveillance of products.
In addition to conducting general and specialist inspections, investigations, and accreditation assessments, inspector-grade staff may also contribute to policy development and implementation at the national, European, and international levels. As a result, the number of personnel in inspector grades does not directly correspond to those engaged exclusively in inspection activities, given that inspections constitute only one aspect of the Authority’s overall responsibilities.
With regard to the number of fatal workplace incidents from 2016 to 2026, please see the below table, breaking down the number of fatalities by year and sector.
With regard to the number of workplace inspections undertaken by the HSA from 2016 to 2026, please see the below table which breaks this down by year and sector.
