Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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75. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department received correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the classification of PRSI of Coillte workers; the action she plans to take on foot of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46550/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Scope insurability section in my Department makes statutory decisions on insurability of employment under the Social Welfare Act. Employers, employees or the self-employed may apply to Scope for an investigation of an employment status and a determination of the correct class of PRSI. 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 deciding officer in the Department has made a decision on the insurability of employment of a number of employees in Coillte. Coillte, as is their right, has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office performs its statutory functions independently of the Minister for Employment and Social Protection and it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter under appeal.

Separately, the Department has received submissions from Coillte and from the employees’ trade union, IMPACT, in relation to certain aspects of the decision made by the Department. The Department is considering the issues and will revert to the interested parties in due course.