Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 6

Written Answers. - Worker Protection.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

21 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the provision which has been made in the budget allowances for the additional expenditure required in the State sector for the proper implementation of the Worker Protection (Regular Part-time Employees) Act, 1991.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to answer this question in respect of the Votes for which I am responsible.

The Worker Protection (Regular Part-Time Employees) Act, 1991, extends the benefits of a range of protective labour legislation to regular part-time workers.

As the Deputy knows, under the Act regular part-time employees are defined as those who are in the continuous employment of the employer for not less than 13 weeks, are normally expected to work not less than eight hours per week, and who, but for the Act, would be excluded from benefits under the legislation which the Act amends. Prior to the 1991 Act, an eligibility threshold of 18 hours work per week applied to most of the legislation which was amended.

The incidence of regular part-time workers working between eight and 18 hours per week in that part of the State sector under my aegis is minimal. Consequently the compliance costs arising under the 1991 Act are miniscule. The Deputy can rest assured, however, that any compliance costs arising will be fully met from the provisions made in my group of estimates.