Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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153. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has made a finding regarding a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44873/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department is committed to tackling all forms of shadow economy activity and, in this regard, Departmental inspectors carry out visits to a wide range of businesses, including building sites, as part of their on-going compliance operations. In many instances, such visits are undertaken jointly with other State agencies such as the Revenue Commissioners and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).

Such visits are ‘open ended’ fact-finding visits wherein evidence of compliance or non-compliance may be detected. Where evidence of non-compliance or misclassification of employment status is detected, appropriate action against those found to be non-compliant is taken.

A person’s or company’s compliance or employment status is confidential to that individual or entity. In that regard, the Department cannot give specific details of either on-going areas of concern or the outcome of their operations as that would contravene confidentiality and data protection.

Should any worker require a formal decision on the insurability of their employment, the Department will immediately facilitate this and also provide a single point of contact for them so that an early determination can be provided.