John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the report into bogus self employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3522/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The classification of a worker for PRSI purposes is increasingly complicated by ‘disguised –employment’, such as intermediary employment structures and certain self-employment arrangements. These mechanisms can be used to reduce the amount of PRSI and tax being paid, with a subsequent loss to the exchequer and the social insurance fund.

An interdepartmental working group, comprising officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, has completed a report on this matter. The working group sought the views of interested parties and stakeholders through a public consultation with interested parties, including employers, trade unions, professional bodies and individuals. I am considering the report with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, with a view to its publication shortly.

My Department’s Scope insurability section determines the employment status and the correct class of social insurance for workers. Where misclassification of workers as self-employed is detected, the correct status and class is determined and social insurance arrears are collected as required. Any worker who has concerns about their social insurance status should contact the Scope insurability section.