Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans regarding zero hours contracts; and the timeline for same. [3582/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that in accordance with the Statement of Government priorities, my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Business and Employment, Deputy Ged Nash, issued on Monday 17 November a call for tenders to carry out a study into the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. The evaluation of tenders received took place recently and the successful contractor will be appointed shortly. It is expected that the study will commence in February and conclude in early Q3 of 2015. The key objectives of the study are:

- To fill the gap that currently exists in terms of the hard data and information that is available concerning the prevalence of “zero hours contracts” in the Irish economy and the manner of their use.

- To assess the impact of “zero hours contracts” on employees.

- To enable the Minister to make any evidence-based policy recommendations to Government considered necessary on foot of the study.

All sectors of the economy, both public and private, will come within the scope of the study, including the retail, hospitality, education and health sectors in particular. The study will examine how zero and low hour contracts operate in practice and how they impact on employees. It will assess the advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of employer and employee and assess the current employment rights legislation as it applies to employees on such contracts. The study will also consider recent developments in other jurisdictions, including the UK in particular.

It is expected that a wide range of stakeholders will be canvassed to contribute to the study.