Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the statement of Government priorities from the Tánaiste and Taoiseach last July, last February I commissioned the University of Limerick, UL, to carry out a study into the prevalence of zero-hour and low-hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. The appointment of UL follows a competitive tendering process. The key objectives of the study are to fill the gap in knowledge that currently exists in terms of the hard data and information that is available concerning the prevalence of zero-hour and low-hour contracts in the Irish economy and the manner of their use; to assess the impact of zero-hour and low-hour contracts on employees; and to enable the Minister to make any evidence-based policy recommendations to Government considered necessary on foot of the study.

The study has a broad scope, covering both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on retail, hospitality, education and health. The study will examine how zero- and low-hour contracts operate in practice and how they impact on employees. It will assess the advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of employer and employee and assess the current employment rights legislation as it applies to employees on such contracts. The study will also consider recent developments in other jurisdictions, particularly the UK. The study may also identify how the information gap might be addressed in the future to assist policy-making.

A wide range of stakeholders is being canvassed to contribute to the study and I expect the study to be completed in Q3. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot anticipate the outcome of the study or the Government’s consideration of the study’s findings in advance of receiving that report. However, the Deputy can rest assured that where the evidence points to some adjustment being required to the protections already in place under Irish employment law, I will bring these forward for consideration by the Government.

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