The Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash has said a study of the use of zero-hour contracts by Irish employers may be carried out.
Zero-hour contracts require employees to be available for work at the employer's discretion.
The employer has no obligation to guarantee a fixed number of hours per week.
Zero-hour contracts are particularly prevalent in hospitality and the fast food sector.
Addressing SIPTU's Health Division conference, Mr Nash described the use of zero-hour contracts as a precarious practice for anyone, as it means workers have no certainty around their pay or working hours.
Mr Nash said significant resources would be allocated to the research.
He told the conference far too many people were living on unacceptably low incomes.
He added that the new Low Pay Commission would advise the government on the appropriate rate for the National Minimum Wage.
