Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1742. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the work being done to resolve the problem of bogus self-employment in the building sector; if he will provide an assessment of the way in which the building sector is being impacted and the way it is intended to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43435/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Status Investigation Unit (ESIU) of my Department is a specialised unit of Inspectors with a focus on investigating and reducing misclassification of employment status. Inspectors in this area are appointed to carry out this work under Section 250 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.

The unit operates as a ‘centre of excellence’ with expertise in employment status investigations. ESIU has investigated a substantial number of construction businesses. Although some misclassification was identified in a very small number of the businesses investigated, there has been nothing of significance that would indicate a problem misclassification of employment status in the building industry.

The Employment Status Investigation Unit (ESIU) inspectors continue to inspect and monitor a range of sectors, including construction. Misclassified self-employment is sometimes referred to as bogus self-employment or false self-employment. ESIU does not use either of these terms. It is important to note that cases of misclassification of employment do not always involve a deliberate or fraudulent misclassification of an employee as self-employed.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.