Almost 700 workers are involved in a bogus contracting scandal at public service broadcaster RTÉ, reports the Irish Independent. The station classed them as self-employed when they were effectively working full time for the national broadcaster and they were denied pension rights, holiday pay, sick leave and maternity leave. Media Minister Catherine Martin confirmed that, of the 695 cases discovered, an investigation into 149 of these has started or has been completed and that is an ongoing process which is likely to take some time to complete. The Minister said RTÉ has made a provision of less than €20 million to pay and correct the PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) contributions of the workers involved to the Revenue and the Department of Social Protection.

However, Martin admitted that no financial provision has been set aside to compensate the workers for the entitlements that they were denied. RTE declined to comment.