asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending the provisions of the Social Welfare (Notification by Employers of Commencement of Employment) Regulations, 1988, to the private bus area, in view of reports that there are a significant number of employees in this area not paying tax and PRSI.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Regulations, 1988.
The regulations mentioned in the question cover the construction industry, contract cleaning, forestry work and the security industry. These are areas where experience has shown that the social welfare system is most likely to be open to abuse.
It is too early as yet to assess the effects of the new regulations. However, I am keeping the situation under review and I will take whatever further action is considered necessary in the light of experience. The question of extending the scope of the regulations to cover other industries, including private bus operators, will be examined in this context.