Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The amendment allows that during the assignment a rate will be set which need not meet the rate that would apply to permanent workers. However, there must be a commitment that when the person is not assigned, he or she is paid. People will get a permanent contract. These agency workers are not on temporary assignments but on permanent contract under which there are periods of assignment and non-assignment. They are paid during both but the rate at which they are paid during the active work period need not necessarily be the comparable rate for a full-time employee of that employer.

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