Ms Annie Hoey:

Yes. I thank the members of the committee for this opportunity to address them today on this very important issue, one that is particularly close to many students' hearts. The Union of Students in Ireland, USI, has campaigned on the issue of zero-hour contracts for a number of years, and we are constantly dispelling the myth that students want these precarious contracts. From the outset, I want to state that the USI's position stands that zero-hour contracts should be fully banned.

Despite the idea that if-and-when, low hour or zero-hour contracts suit students, as has been raised at a previous meeting, that is not the case. I would add that arguments raised in this regard are weak, and act as smoke and mirrors. The committee must be careful not to mistake flexibility for exploitation.

To emphasise the negative effects of low and zero-hour contracts for students, let me explain the context in which students live. Most colleges charge an annual student contribution or a registration fee which covers student services and examinations. The maximum rate of the student contribution for the academic year 2016-17 is €3,000. It should be noted that in the period from 2007 to 2014, the student contribution fee increased by 363%, from €825 to €3000. I have many thoughts on that issue but that is a matter for a different committee and for a different day.

Rents in Ireland stabilised during 2010 but began to increase during 2013 and are now being reported to be above €1,000 in Ireland, which is a level that is far beyond the capacity of students to afford. The DIT Cost of Living 2016 survey states that a minimum of €1,222 a month is needed for students living away from home. That figure does not change much for students residing in Galway, Limerick or Cork or in any other major urban areas.

In 2010, the Eurostudent Survey received 13,530 valid responses from students in Ireland. Just over half of all students - 53% - indicated they work during term time, 35% regularly and 18% occasionally. This national survey found that 65% of full-time students and 82% of part-time students indicated that they worked during term break while 54% of full-time students and 63% of part-time students felt that working during the term time affected their academic performance.

This case is typical in countries such as Ireland, Greece, Spain and Portugal where there is moderate overlap between education and the labour market, with a very high level of youth unemployment being worst hit by the economic crisis. The most common fields for students in Ireland to work in were services and catering in which 64% and 63% of students, respectively, work during term time. Across Europe, a similar picture unfolds where wholesale, retail, accommodation and catering services are fields connected with student labour, especially for young students. A total of 25% of working students under the age of 25 work in the wholesale and retail sectors, while another 15% work in accommodation and catering sectors.

Ireland is a low-pay economy with traditional low-paid sectors - retail and hospitality - falling further behind EU averages. A full picture sees students working in areas that are typically low-paid, are at risk or already in poverty and are in a position to work more hours, with their academic performance put on the line. This is due to the pressure to meet high costs of living where fees are €3,000, rents are increasing and changes to the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant sees students struggling to fund college, work for little pay and not enough hours.

As noted, students typically work in wholesale, retail, accommodation and food sectors. Evidence shows that these sectors are not only low-paid but provide very low hours, typically between one and eight hours. These if-and-when or zero-hour contracts lead to unpredictable working hours and unstable income, which have a very negative impact on students' financial security. Students are paying up to €1,222 a month to live while also studying at college in Dublin. A precarious employment with if-and-when or a zero-hour contract could see students unable to buy food, pay rent, afford public transport or pay bills. Growth in precarious employment in the labour market with internships, temporary work, part-time work, zero-hour and if-and-when contracts has a negative effect on students.

The USI supports the statement of the National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, that "young people have an opportunity to enter well-paid and secure employment elongated and frustrated by temporary jobs on a low wage". Today, the number of students who continue working fewer hours than they need is increasing and the only employment for them, too often, are zero-hours contracts. Exploitative zero-hours contracts are leaving students concerned about whether they will have enough work and finance to be able to afford to continue to stay on at third-level. Zero-hour contracts leave students finding it impossible to access loans or credit as they do not have stable, secure income or guaranteed hours. This sort of job insecurity is placing an unnecessary strain on students. Students and young people deserve to have the opportunity to work enough hours to be able to afford a decent standard of living. Our students with the financial burden of having the second highest fees in Europe would benefit from knowing what set hours a week they would be working.

Employer organisations argue that if-and-when contracts and low hours suit employees and especially suit students and women with caring responsibilities. I would add that employers argue that they even have difficulty finding employees who want to work more hours. A number of employer organisations also argue that providing any work to people reduces the cost to the State of paying unemployment benefit. The USI argues that students who are contracted to work low hours and are on if-and-when contracts feel insecure and powerless at work. To think someone would not want predictability and security every week is an incredibly dangerous misconception. Laws that enshrine certainty for workers will not negatively impact business.

The USI's National Student Housing Survey showed the financial strain students face with accommodation. The majority of students stated that their average income is between €251 and €500 a month and this is what the majority of respondents pay for their accommodation. Some 20% were earning between €1 to €250 a month in income. This means that income is spent on accommodation right away leaving very little for bills, food, travel or other materials.

Students need to know their hours. This would help students plan their studies accordingly and give a more balanced work-study life. The USI welcomes the comments made from Ms Patricia King to the effect that at the end of the day, a worker is a worker and no difference should be made between a student and a non-student worker.

We believe that the Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 seeks to balance the needs of employers with the needs of workers, giving more predictability as to when and where they are required to work. We welcome the Bill and believe it is a step in right direction in ensuring that those who are studying can have a sense of security and not be exploited while studying.