Employment Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Ceisteanna (419)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

419. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21699/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The following bodies operate under the aegis of my Department; The Citizens Information Board, The Pensions Authority, The Pensions Council and The Social Welfare Tribunal.

There are no cases relating to the above bodies currently before Scope Section of the Department of Social Protection, for investigation or determination.

Scope Section did not make any employment misclassification decisions involving the above bodies during the period referred to by the Deputy.

It is important to note that cases of misclassification of employment do not always involve a deliberate or fraudulent misclassification of an employee as self-employed and therefore it is not appropriate to use the term ‘bogus self-employment.’

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.