The WRC’s annual report for 2023 reflects on “another busy year” where “demand and output has continued to increase”, with some 6,519 workplace inspection visits taking place and 4,727 inspections being completed, with €1.95 million recovered in unpaid wages.

The number of hearings scheduled and held by the WRC’s adjudication service increased by almost 13 per cent and 12 per cent respectively, while the pre-adjudication mediation service delivered 127 more mediations than the previous year, an increase of 19 per cent.

Emer Higgins, minister of state for employment affairs and retail business, siad: “The WRC continued to perform strongly in 2023, and its annual report for the year illustrates the effectiveness of the WRC across the full ambit of services it provides, including adjudication, inspection, conciliation, mediation, advisory and information services.”

She added: “The WRC continues to play an important role in terms of a level playing field across the economy for companies and employees, ensuring employment rights are upheld for all. Recovering almost €2 million in unpaid wages in 2023, the WRC is playing a crucial role in this regard.”

The minister also paid tribute to the former acting director general, Anna Perry, who retired in February 2024, and former director general, Liam Kelly, who retired in March 2023.

Dr David Begg, chairperson of the WRC board, said: “The year in review saw a considerable expansion of all the services provided by the WRC. Our aim is to continuously improve our offering to our stakeholders, and we are very grateful for the trust and confidence they repose in us.”

Audrey Cahill, director general of the WRC, said: “2023 was the year when the WRC saw its first full year of normal services since 2019. The increased demand across all our divisions was met with high standards of delivery and commitment from the teams.

“Significant trends have begun to emerge in some key areas of our activity which will inform our workplans in the coming years and we look forward to continued positive engagements with all of our service users and stakeholders.”