Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1178. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for processing of claims relating to self-employment by scope section from submission of a claim to the issue of a determination; and the median time for processing of claims relating to self-employment from submission of a claim to the issue of a determination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45670/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Scope insurability section in my Department makes statutory decisions on the insurability of employment under the Social Welfare Acts. Employers, employees or the self-employed, may apply, where there is doubt, to have an employment or self-employment status investigated and the correct class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) determined.

In 2016, the Department made 1,031 insurability decisions across three broad categories:

- working directors (including self-employed),

- family employment, and

- miscellaneous ( including public servants, office holders and subsidiary employments).

The processing time for decisions, including decisions relating to self-employment, varies considerably depending on the complexity of the case. Straightforward cases may be processed in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases, particularly where there is a conflict of view between a worker and an employer, may take considerably longer, as both parties will have to be interviewed by social welfare inspectors and legal advice may be sought. The average length of time for complex cases is 13 weeks.

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