Written answers

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Department of Social Protection

Social Insurance Rates

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on a decision that six contract meter readers, CMRs were employed under a contract of service, that is that their employment was insurable under the Social Welfare Acts PRSI class A, subject to earnings requirements rather than class S which is the class that has been applied to them since 1994 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32275/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Scope section in the Department of Social Protection makes statutory decisions on insurability of employment under the Social Welfare Act. Employers, employees and the self-employed may apply to Scope for an investigation of an employment status and a determination of the correct class of PRSI. Scope decisions are based on all available evidence, including a report from a social welfare inspector where appropriate, and the case law from previous court judgements.

A number of test cases in relation to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Contract Meter Readers were investigated by Scope. It was determined by Scope that the work of ESB Contract Meter Readers was insurable at PRSI Class S from 1 September 2009.

These decisions, including the case referred to by the Deputy, have been appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Office operates independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions of Scope section.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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