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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many industrial tribunal cases in Northern Ireland are waiting to be heard; and what action he is taking to reduce waiting times. [189697] Mr. Gardiner: On 23 August 2004 there were 12,967 cases awaiting determination by the Industrial Tribunals. Almost 2,000 of these were discrimination cases and the remainder were non-discrimination cases. Some 6,300 cases relate to a common complaint against one respondent under working time regulations and a further 1,936 cases relate to 10 large multiple applications. A case may involve more than one complaint. A series of measures has already been taken to improve the operation of the tribunals and reduce waiting times, including: appointment of three additional full-time Chairmen; updating the Tribunal rules of procedure; provision of additional administrative staff; provision of additional Tribunal accommodation, and; introduction of a new IT system. Further improvements will include: the imminent appointment of additional part-time chairmen; enhancements to the Tribunals IT system; testing the use of digital audio recording systems to speed up lengthy cases; improved case management; and promoting alternative methods of resolving workplace disputes. In addition, new regulations due to come into effect in April 2005 will introduce statutory minimum dispute resolution procedures in every workplace in Northern Ireland. The outcome of this legislation should be a reduction in the number of applications being made to the Tribunals, which in time should reduce waiting times overall.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c231-2W; 189697

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Administrative delays Employment Equality Industrial Tribunal Northern Ireland Tribunals

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk