Jimmy Harte (Labour)

As someone who has used agency workers in my time as an employer, I always found they were in limbo. It has become more focused over recent years when we have found many family members and friends have taken up agency work. There is a generation coming into the workforce which seems more comfortable in this type of employment because it allows them to specialise and move abroad. It is important they are treated as permanent employees. The Minister has addressed them and this is a progressive move for employees, especially now in the labour market when people do not expect to be in permanent employment as they used to be and which allows them gain experience in different fields. The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Workers) Bill is important to the future growth of the economy as well. I fully support the Minister's work on the issue.