Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts his Department is taking to combat the rise of zero hours contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4713/15]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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In accordance with the Statement of Government priorities, I have commissioned a study into the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. Earlier this week, I announced the appointment of the University of Limerick (UL) to carry out the study. The appointment of UL follows a competitive tendering process. 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 hour and low hour contracts in the Irish economy and the manner of their use.

- To assess the impact of zero hour and low hour contracts on employees.

- To enable the Minister to make any evidence-basedpolicy 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, including employers and their representative bodies, employees and trade unions, relevant Government Departments and relevant state bodies. I expect the study to be completed within six months from commencement.