The Labour Relations Commission is expected to recruit extra staff and expand its services to industry following the provision of an extra £300,000 in the Budget.

The LRC's chief executive, Mr Kieran Mulvey, has welcomed the extra funding and said it would be used to improve the commission's support services, particularly for firms which are restructuring or negotiating change with their unions.

He said yesterday that the LRC had made representations to the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, over staff shortages, which were hampering its activities.