Annual Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2007

Chapter 7
Developing an Organisation of Excellence
7.5.2 Provision of Regional offices for the Western,
Northern and Eastern regions
The Western Regional Office is situated at Scarriff Harbour in Scarriff, Co Clare. The
office is the base for the Operations and Administrative staff for the Western Region
of Waterways Ireland. It is also the base for the Internal Audit section, Environment
section, Mechanical Services and staff from the Technical Services Division.
The Northern Regional office is based in leased accommodation on the Old Dublin Road
in Carrick on Shannon.
The Eastern Regional office continues to be based in leased accommodation at
Ashtowngate, Navan Road, Dublin.
7.6 Developing and implementing Health and Safety
7.6.1 Health and Safety Audits
A total of 11 Health and Safety audits were completed across the organisation during
2007.
7.6.2 Health and Safety policies, procedures and systems
The review of the organisation’s Health and Safety statement was completed and an
updated version prepared and sent for printing in 2007.
7.7 Providing and developing our staff resources
During 2007, Waterways Ireland continued to pro-actively identify resource
requirements and to provide and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and
competencies in staff to meet organisational needs and deliver business objectives.
7.7.1 Recruitment
We continued to recruit operational, administration and technical staff throughout
2007 in order to meet the staffing needs of the organisation. The current labour
market presents challenges for filling vacancies, particularly in the field of engineering.
During 2007 recruitment exercises resulted in achieving 90% of our approved staffing
complement, and work continued to positively address staffing difficulties. In our
recruitment and selection processes we continued to promote fairness and equality of
opportunity in all of our activities.
7.7.2 Industrial Relations
The maintenance and development of employee relations remained a key objective
for Waterways Ireland. Throughout 2007 the various Industrial Relations mechanisms
continued to operate effectively, providing regular and appropriate interaction between
Waterways Ireland and Trade Unions. Management and Unions continued to meet in
the Industrial Relations Forum to address matters of common interest to all employees.
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Waterways Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2007