Vol. 488 No. 1
164 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, the Revenue Commissioners have taken to investigate the claims that certain workers in the building construction industry have made regarding discrimination against workers who refuse to be paid cash in hand from contractors and subcontractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5628/98]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in so far as Revenue becomes aware of the practices described by the Deputy these will be investigated and appropriate action taken. However, it is important that such information should be made available to the relevant authorities and if the Deputy is aware of any particular instances I would be obliged if he would provide it to the Revenue Commissioners as soon as possible.
Facilities have been made available to worker representatives to enable them to bring any cases where they consider abuses, such as those suggested by the Deputy, are taking place to official notice. In addition, union representatives are entitled to sit on the black economy monitoring group, which operates under the aegis of Programme 2000. This group includes representatives from employers, from the unions, from Revenue and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. There is a special sub-committee of the black economy monitoring group which deals with the construction industry. Union members of the group are free to call for a meeting of this group, at which any difficulties can be brought to the notice of Revenue and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
I am informed that Revenue conducted over 2,000 audits in the construction sector during 1997 which yielded £19 million.
As part of their ongoing audit programme in the industry and by way of a special project which is being undertaken at present Revenue monitor all aspects of compliance in the industry. The special programme is focused on detecting failure by employers to operate PAYE/PRSI and levies from employees and to make the appropriate employers' contribution to PRSI. Extra resources have been devoted to the campaign, which will be conducted nationwide. Where necessary, it is intended that inspectors of taxes will be able to call on the assistance of the Revenue mobile service.
