Written answers

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Department of Social Protection

Social Insurance

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status on the commitment which was made to amend the insurance records of all contract meter readers employed in the ESB in the period 1 July 1994 to 31 August 2009 by changing the PRSI class S contributions to class A subject to earnings requirements; the reason this matter has not been fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38901/16]

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 in recent years. Although it was determined by Scope that the work of ESB Contract Meter Readers was insurable at PRSI class S during the period from 1994 to 2009, this decision was changed to class A following an appeal 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. The contribution records were amended to class A for this period.

A further Scope review in May 2015 concluded that the meter readers were insurable at class S from 1 September 2009. This decision has been appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office by a number of the meter readers. I am advised that counsel for the appellants has not yet provided a detailed submission to the Appeals Office and that a reminder has been issued to him.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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