Contractors Messages to Government

“To succeed, an economy needs to be flexible and entrepreneurial even though precarious employment is stressful. Otherwise, the slide into mediocrity and apathy is inevitable.”

“Recognize the value of this critical force by adding it to the brief of the Junior Minister for Employment”

Contractors identify a wide range of practical and financial factors as important to sustaining independent work, including fair taxation, access to social welfare, clarity on allowable expenses, pensions, housing, and opportunities to upskill. These issues shape day-to-day viability and long-term security and appear consistently across their qualitative responses. However, beneath these concrete concerns sits a deeper, unifying issue that cuts across sectors, income levels, and career stages. Many responses reveal that contractors do not feel fully recognised or respected for the economic value they contribute to Ireland’s economy. This perceived lack of recognition influences how other challenges are experienced and interpreted, framing questions of tax, welfare, and policy not only as technical issues, but as signals of whether contracting is seen as legitimate, valued way of work. The following section focuses on how contractors describe this recognition gap and what they believe needs to change to address it.

Contractors’ responses show a clear set of needs and expectations about what would make independent work feel properly recognised, respected, and sustainable. At the centre is a strong desire to be seen as a legitimate part of the workforce, not treated as an exception or a problem to be managed. Many want contracting acknowledged as a normal and necessary way organisations deliver work, with respondents asking government to explicitly recognise this contribution in policy and public messaging. This is expressed in direct appeals such as, “Accept that contractors are essential for how our economy is setup,” and “Recognise the value of this critical force.” The practical request underneath is straightforward: include contractors in labour strategy, workforce planning, and how employment is discussed, measured, and reported so their contribution is visible rather than overlooked.

“No formal recognition for the highly skilled, motivated and flexibility that contractors provide at very high cost to themselves and families.”

“The government do not fully recognise this sector even though every sector of the economy uses freelancers/independent contractors to bring value and get things done.”

Contractors also want fairness that reflects the risk and costs they carry, they feel like they are treated like employees for taxation but like outsiders when seeking welfare supports. They repeatedly call for a model where contribution and entitlement align, particularly through improved access to social welfare during illness or gaps between contracts. What they want is not preferential treatment, but parity and credibility: “We should be seen as workers,” and “Rights should the same if not better than employees… we are tax payers too and should be treated with more respect.” This includes wanting PRSI contributions to translate into meaningful supports, and for basic protections to exist that recognise the “no work, no pay” reality of contracting.

A third priority is their need for consistent guidance, this would remove ambiguity and reduce the sense that independent workers are always at risk of being challenged or misunderstood. Contractors want the rules to be simple, stable, and aligned across departments, with practical clarity on status, compliance, and what is allowed. Several call for government to “make it easier to navigate” and provide “clearer, consistent guidance across departments.” This is partly about reducing stress and administrative load, but it is also about recognition: clear rules signal that contracting is a valid and understood form of work, not a grey area.

Contractors also want their economic contribution recognised through equal access to mainstream financial systems, especially mortgages and credit. Many describe wanting decisions to be based on income history rather than employment label and ask government to engage directly with banks and financial institutions, so contractors are not treated as inherently high risk. The underlying request is respect through equal treatment: “Work with financial institutions so we are not discriminated against.” For many, this is not only a financial issue, but a life-stage and stability issue tied to long-term planning.

“I don’t think the government considers contractors as ‘real’ workers.”

“They treat contractors the same as companies. Contractors are people, Not as integrated in the workforce as staff but equally as important.”

Recognition is also framed as needing practical infrastructure and visibility, not just statements. Contractors want simple access points to supports, training, entitlements, and guidance. Ideas include a “one stop shop” portal for contractors, clearer information campaigns, and more accessible learning supports that do not assume people can take unpaid days to upskill. They want training and development treated as a legitimate business need, not a personal luxury, with respondents calling for “support for upskill,” and noting that employees receive training while contractors have to self-fund and lose earnings to attend. This is especially strong in technology-led sectors, where skills must remain current to keep Ireland competitive.

“Government policy seems to be geared towards the traditional employer/employee framework.”

“Contractors have no voice in government.”

“I don’t see meaningful independent representation for the sector.”

Finally, contractors want respect expressed through how they are treated by institutions and clients, including transparency and predictable processes. Even where comments are framed around tax and welfare, the underlying request is dignity and trust. This is captured in blunt language such as, “Don’t treat us like scammers,” and in calls for government to engage directly with contractors when shaping legislation: “Seek out contractor and freelancers to give feedback on each piece of labour legislation.” In short, contractors want recognition that is felt in everyday systems: fair rules, clear guidance, equal access, and protections that reflect the reality of independent work.

“Accept that contractors are essential for how our economy is setup.”

“Contractors are key for implementing any large FDI.”

“This type of work adds huge value to the knowledge and financial economies, so should be incentivised.”

In summary the qualitative responses point to a need for recognition that is both symbolic and structural. Contractors want contracting to be publicly acknowledged as a valuable and legitimate way to work, and they want the system to act as if that is true. They want visibility in policy, fairness in entitlements, clarity in rules, equal access to finance, and practical supports that reflect how independent work actually operates, … and they want it now!