To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department will seek to increase the resources and capacity of the Health and Safety Executive to assist employers and ensure a safe working environment for employees in response to COVID-19.

In the early days of the pandemic HSENI staff received an increase in volume of calls for advice and complaints of 2,000% on normal business. All inspectorate staff were required to deal with this. As time has gone on the number of complaints etc., whilst not as just as high, remains significant and constant. The anticipated gradual return to work in many of our sectors will likely to see a sustained rise in the number of complaints and calls for advice coming into HSENI which will again put their limited resources under pressure.

It should be noted that HSENI are not the policy maker in this instance, as this is the domain of our public health colleagues. However HSENI has worked very effectively with employers, trade groups, employees, trade unions and others to interpret the public health guidance and bring about practical solutions to work situations which have allowed many workplaces to maintain operations. The model they have used of advising and working with organisations and enforcement where required has been successful and one I want to see continue.

HSENI’s inspectorate staff, whilst small in number, have met the challenges presented by the current pandemic. The recruitment, training and warranting of health and safety inspectors takes approximately three years which means there is no easy or quick way to boost their numbers. For this reason the organisation must utilise its resources as it has been doing to best meet the demands it will face.My Department will of course continue to support HSENI in fulfilling its functions and if there is a need to provide additional resources in the short or longer term, consider these favourably.

The resource issue is also one for our district councils who have responsibility for the enforcement of health and safety law in many businesses including offices, shops, restaurants and many of the premises on our high streets.