Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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288. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify if, following the Social Welfare Act 1974, secular clergy can legally be classed as self-employed; his views on whether the inability of the group to qualify for a contributory State pension is in line with the Social Welfare Act 1974 and in particular section 3; and his views on whether this Act has resulted in equal treatment, in terms of pension qualifications for all religious groups. [23256/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to fully investigate, in the limited time available for this reply, the relevant legislative changes in 1974 and subsequently as to their impact on the group in question. I will respond directly to the Deputy providing full details, once my Department’s investigations are complete.