Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Finance his views regarding the increase in persons participating in the grey or black economy; his plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not produce estimates of the size of the informal economy nor of the estimated number of persons participating in such activities.

Internationally, a considerable amount of research has been undertaken in this area but, by definition, it is always difficult to quantify the scale of the informal economy.

Having said that, the Central Statistics Office in compiling estimates of national income, and in line with best international practice, makes adjustments to the figures in order to control for informal activity in some sub-sectors of the economy. This is done at a very detailed level, with the result that an overall economy-wide estimate is not available.

My colleague, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation is working with the business community to lower their administrative burden and other business costs. The Budget and the Four-year plan will also examine further measures that may be taken to improve labour activation. These actions will help discourage participation in the informal economy.