I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 191 together.
Specific data sets pertaining to levels of ‘non-recorded overtime’, ‘bogus self-employment’ or ‘abusive sub-contracting’ are not held within my Department as outlined by the Deputy.
However, I note and welcome the recently announced provisional political agreement on the directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU.
The agreed text introduces the obligation for EU countries to set up an enforcement system, including monitoring and controls to ensure compliance and address abusive sub-contracting, bogus self-employment, non-recorded overtime or increased work intensity. It also acknowledges that close cooperation with the social partners is needed to address these critical challenges.
Ireland has supported the principles of this proposal since it was first published and actively contributed to discussions and negotiations on the text.
In addition to this, the Tánaiste agreed to convene a consultative working group on the Determination of Employment Status, which I Chair.
This group consists of representatives from ICTU, Ibec, the Construction Federation of Ireland and ISME, as well as officials from my Department; the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection.
The purpose of the working group is to examine issues around employment status, consider the scale of misclassification, and to discuss the potential to improve systems by which correct employment status is determined.