The Black Economy Monitoring Group was set up initially under the Programme for National Recovery. It has been continued in subsequent national agreements, including Partnership 2000. Paragraph 3.22 of Partnership 2000 defines the role of the group as follows:
The Government are aware of, and will take further measures as appropriate to counter tax and social welfare fraud. The Black Economy Monitoring Group, which is drawn from the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Welfare, the CIF, IBEC and the ICTU, will continue its work of monitoring developments and reviewing the effectiveness of measures taken to combat tax and social welfare fraud.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the group continues to meet regularly, approximately every two months, to monitor developments and to review the effectiveness of measures taken to combat tax and social welfare fraud. The membership of the group has been extended to include the Small Firms Association, so that particular concerns of the small business sector can be included in the group's deliberations.
The Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs respond to the concerns raised in the group by carrying out investigations of the matters raised and, where there is evidence of black economy activity, taking appropriate action. Where necessary, the question of amending the tax or social welfare codes would also be considered. Also, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs keep members of the group informed of new initiatives to tackle the black economy.