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IRELAND: Annual Update – Expected Labour Law Changes in 2017

Whistle-blowing

Legal review proposed:  The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 will be reviewed in 2017. No specific date has been given. The Act contains the general suite of employment protections and legal immunities for staff who blow the whistle.

Action required: None at this stage but keep abreast of any commentary/recommendations arising out of the proposed 2017 review.

Retrospective worker vetting

Complete vetting no later than December 31, 2017:  The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 provides a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The aim is to vet staff who have not been checked, because they started work before the 2012 Act came into force.

All retrospective vetting must be completed no later than 31 December 2017.

Action required:

(1) Establish whether anyone is performing ‘relevant work’.

(2) Diarise the December deadline.

(3) Understand and apply the vetting application process.

Minimum wage

Employees must be paid at least €9.15 per hour. The Commission is due to review the minimum wage rate again in 2017. No specific date has been given at present.

Action required: None at present but keep abreast of any legal developments to ensure compliance.


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