Mr. Niall Egan:

I understand that is the case. I met the employer engagement subgroup, the chair of which, who is also the chairperson of Tesco Ireland, was very supportive of the initiative. As the process has only recently started, we will see where it leads.

I apologise to Deputy Harrington for not responding on the issue of zero-hour contracts, which is a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation because it relates to labour law. The role of the Department of Social Protection in this area is confined to people on the jobseeker's transition and family income supplement schemes who are on low-hour contracts. The Department's schemes can support such persons depending on their individual circumstances. While I am subject to correction, I understand that, as part of the Commission on Low Pay, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will examine the issue of zero-hour contracts. The Department of Social Protection has met researchers from the University of Limerick to discuss this issue and this discussion has fed into our experience and views on the issue. We are not especially familiar with zero-contract employees per seas we do more work with people on low-hour contracts. I am afraid that is all I can say in that regard.