Department publishes report on impact of improved working conditions
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has published 'An Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Conditions in Ireland', a study to examine the cumulative impact of measures including auto-enrolment retirement savings, parent’s leave and benefit, statutory sick pay (SSP), additional public holiday, the transition to a living wage, and the right to request remote working.
Over the last number of years, the government have introduced or progressed several initiatives to improve working conditions in Ireland and this assessment, carried out in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, follows on from a recommendation by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC).
The study provides an overarching assessment of the potential impacts – both costs and benefits – accruing to employers and employees on foot of these measures. The various improvements to working conditions have been signalled in advance, were typically subject to a public consultation process prior to being adopted as public policy and are to be implemented on an incremental basis over a number of years.
Key findings of the study include:
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney said the Assessment was an important one and would enable Government to provide supports to businesses where they are most needed.
The Minister said:
"This Assessment provides important evidence to us on the impact of improved working conditions for both employers and employees.
"These improvements bring wider societal benefits and will serve to bring Ireland in line with other advanced economies. However, it is recognised – as set out in the report - that businesses may face increased costs, in particular in the short term, as they adjust to these measures.
"Acknowledging that there will be a cost to certain sectors arising from these new measures I am introducing a suite of measures intended to assist businesses in adjusting to these increased costs as well as more generally to improve cost competitiveness of firms.
"This includes making available up to €15 million to Local Enterprise Offices to enable a top up payment of up to €3,000 in the Energy Efficiency Grant for businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors bringing the grant up to €8,000; preparation of an options paper on the application of the lower 8.8% rate of Employer PRSI contribution; a range of measures to reduce red tape and the administrative burden on business, including: an enhanced SME Test; accelerating the roll out of a fully functioning National Enterprise Hub with staff available to provide immediate advice and support to vulnerable firms."