Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I shall read an additional note. I am aware that, as regards independent professional contractors, this is an issue the Deputy raised with the previous Minister, Deputy Noonan. We have received a submission from officials which followed on from a meeting they had with a representative organisation for this sector. One of the points raised in that submission was that it would perhaps be advisable also to consider a wider perspective than simply the expense issue raised here, in other words, the use of intermediary-type company structures, which are becoming more prevalent among the self-employed as a means of providing labour. A consultation process on the use of intermediary-type structures and self-employment arrangements was jointly launched by the then Minister for Finance and the then Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection last year. The consultation invited submissions from interested parties on possible measures to address the loss to the Exchequer that may arise under arrangements of this nature.

I am pleased to note that I have just received the report which was informed by this consultation and which has been prepared by a working group of officials. The report will contribute to the debate on any potential measures to address these impacts. As the report looks at the wider issues of taxation and social welfare for this sector, I could not agree that we need another report before we consider this report. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, looks forward to bringing the report to Cabinet very shortly and to publishing it very soon thereafter.