David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the difficulties being encountered by teachers working on a casual basis in a number of schools in getting social welfare forms regarding hours worked completed; if she will allow primary school teachers, in particular, to self-assess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21446/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Where a person is engaged in casual or part-time employment, the days worked each week can vary, as can the employer. Accordingly, to ensure that the correct weekly payment issues, customers are required to complete a form on a weekly basis setting out the days on which they worked and the days on which they were unemployed and to have this form verified by their employer. This is normally a very quick process with the submitted dockets scanned onto the Department’s computer system and the relevant payment calculated and issued.

I recognise these arrangements can cause difficulties in a small number of cases and not just for primary school teachers. In such circumstances, customers experiencing difficulties should contact their local Intreo centre where alternative arrangements, such as the acceptance of a signature from a nominated local person, can be discussed.