Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has commenced the comprehensive independent evaluation recommended by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council into the cumulative impact of a range of measures which it states represent a cost to employers through administration burdens and resourcing and which could be particularly burdensome for SMEs; and if the evaluation has not commenced, when work will commence. [63403/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Over the past year the Government has introduced or progressed several measures with the aim of improving working conditions in Ireland. These measures are an important part of building an inclusive economy – particularly one that is attractive to highly mobile labour and skills. These measures include the right to request remote work, sick pay legislation, pension auto-enrolment, parent’s leave and parent’s benefit, the introduction of an additional bank holiday, and the transition to a living wage. These measures are necessary to improve the lives of workers in Ireland and to ensure Ireland is in line with other European countries.

However, the Government agrees that it is important to also be aware of the impact of these measures on businesses, particularly as they are managing rising prices, supply chain issues and the increasing need to adapt to the digital and climate transitions. The Government is committed to continuing to monitor the combined impacts of these measures – reflecting both the benefits and costs.

Planning for this evaluation, as recommended by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, has commenced. The report will be progressed this year between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Social Protection, with a report to be published by the end of 2023. Officials are currently scoping out the evaluation. The report will be prepared independently by Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) staff across both Departments under the guidance of a Steering Group.