Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
309. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if stable staff in horse trainers' yards can be classified as agricultural workers in the future in view of the importance of the horse racing sector to the rural economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7173/18]
View answerI am aware that the issue of the classification of stable staff was considered in a recent case before the Labour Court and I presume it is in that context that the deputy is raising the issue.
One issue considered by the Labour Court was whether workers in the equine sector come within the scope of the agriculture sector under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 Act and Regulations under that Act as the legislation provides for certain exemptions for certain sectors.
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides for statutory rights for employees in relation to rest, maximum working time and holidays and derives from a European Union Directive dating from 1993.
I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that since September 2017 certain changes in Departmental functions took place with the result that policy responsibility for employment rights legislation generally, including the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, transferred to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Any proposals that potentially involve an amendment to that legislation in terms of the classification of workers in certain sectors are now a matter for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and should be directed to that Department.
