Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue of false self-employment has been discussed many times, including at the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, subgroup on employment and enterprise in May. Officials from the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection and the Workplace Relations Commission attended and explained their individual roles on enforcement and compliance in this area in respect of taxation, PRSI and employment rights. While there was some debate about the actual scale of the problem, there was general agreement that it is a complex issue. Although the data do not suggest that false self-employment is becoming more prevalent in Ireland, it was stressed that, regardless of the scale of the problem, steps must be taken to protect workers from exploitation. In that regard, the Department of Social Protection regularly carries out targeted investigations in certain sectors.

The revised code of practice on determining employment status was published by the Minister for Social Protection in July and reflects recent case law. Work has commenced on placing it on a legislative footing. There is ongoing engagement at official level and the issue is tabled for discussion again at the LEEF subgroup meeting on 13 December, which I will be attending, to see what further action can be taken.

The European Commission is expected to announce proposals on platform work this week, with a proposal for a directive from the directorate general for jobs and social rights and a set of guidelines from the directorate general for competition, featuring aspects such as employment status of platform workers, algorithms, cross-border work and taxation.

There is also expected to be a communication on decent work. We will consider these proposals in due course.

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