Departmental Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Questions (1081)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1081. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 17 September 2019, the reason data regarding decisions made on employment and self-employment cannot be provided; the reason it is unavailable; her plans to improve record keeping in view of the fact a significant amount of important data is not being quantified; if she will consider tracking such cases by sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45027/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The historic database used in the Scope Section of my Department prior to 2018 did not provide data regarding decisions made on employment and self-employment status. Since then, a new system has been introduced. The new system records and categorises, in a more specific way, the different types of cases handled by Scope Section, including those dealing with employment status. A breakdown of such cases was provided to the Deputy on 17 September 2019.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have reallocated resources in my Department to tackling the issue of false self-employment. In addition to tackling it, I intend to measure and better quantify its prevalence across the workforce, and any sectoral characteristics that may pertain to it.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.