Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Michelle O'Sullivan and her team at the Kemmy Business School for preparing the report. The report pointed out that zero-hour contracts are not exclusively used. There is, of course, evidence of if-and-when contracts. The Deputy is right in pointing to a lack of clarity regarding employment status. That is something that is also evident. I believe the Deputy is referring to if-and-when contracts more than to zero-hour contracts. People will argue about the unpredictable hours. The Deputy rightly pointed to the difficulties in managing family life, the unstable income and access to credit institutions. Often people with these contracts work more hours than they are contracted for.

As I pointed out - I believe the Deputy agrees with me on this - we must give this report detailed and careful consideration. It is an independent report. Some 47 responses were given and the majority of those from trade unions and NGOs recommended implementation of the report and on the other hand employer and business groups opposed the implementation of the report. That is why we have to give this careful consideration and it takes time. We will do that and we will try to publish the report as quickly as possible after we give it that consideration.

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