The WRC found Siobhan Murphy’s caretaker role with Focus Ireland was employment and awarded her €918.75 under the National Minimum Wage Act. The decision was dated 8 August 2022.
Focus Ireland had argued Ms Murphy was a volunteer, with accommodation and utility bills provided for the role. The adjudicator found the working arrangements established employment, including control over duties and the role’s integration into the organisation’s care services.
The minimum-wage award was based on recorded hours worked. The adjudicator treated Ms Murphy’s accommodation as her home, excluding time on call there when no work was performed. The respondent’s records and calculations were accepted where no contrary evidence was provided.
The WRC also awarded €42 for the failure to provide written employment terms and €17.64 for unpaid annual leave. Ms Murphy’s complaints about statutory breaks and public-holiday pay were not well founded. The single €918.75 award covers both linked minimum-wage complaint references.