Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
223. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on measures to tackle zero-hour contracts; when legislation will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14681/15]
View answerIn accordance with the Statement of Government priorities, I recently commissioned the University of Limerick (UL) to carry out a study into the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. The appointment of UL follows a competitive tendering process. The key objectives of the study are:
- To fill the gap in knowledge that currently exists in terms of the hard data and information that is available concerning the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts in the Irish economy and the manner of their use.
- To assess the impact of zero hour and low hour contracts on employees.
- To enable the Minister to make any evidence-based policy recommendations to Government considered necessary on foot of the study.
The study will have a broad scope, covering both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on the retail, hospitality, education and health sectors. The study will examine how zero and low hour contracts operate in practice and how they impact on employees. It will assess the advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of employer and employee and assess the current employment rights legislation as it applies to employees on such contracts. The study will also consider recent developments in other jurisdictions, including the UK in particular. The study may also identify how the information gap might be addressed in the future.
Unlike the position in the UK, Section 18 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides that where employees suffer a loss by not being given the hours they were requested to work or be available for work, they can be compensated for 25% of the time or 15 hours, whichever is less. There is no equivalent provision in the UK, where employees on zero hours contracts are only paid for time spent working and if they are not given any hours by their employer they receive no compensation.
A wide range of stakeholders will be canvassed to contribute to the study and I expect the study, which commenced in February, to be completed within six months.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot anticipate the outcome of the study or the Government’s consideration of the study’s findings.
