asked the Minister for Social Welfare if subpostmasters are insurable under the Social Welfare Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subpostmasters' Social Insurance.
38.
Subpostmasters who render on the average 18 or more hours personal service in each week and are mainly dependent for their livelihood on the earnings derived from such employment are compulsorily insurable under the Social Welfare Acts, 1952-1961, provided they are under 70 years of age and their remuneration does not exceed £800 a year.
The Minister will agree that when subpostmasters are insurable under the Act, they cannot be described as contractors? If they are described as contractors or are contractors, therefore they are not eligible to be insured under the Social Welfare Acts.
That would not be a matter for me to decide.
The Minister will agree they are not contractors?
No, it is not a matter for me to decide.
Since the Social Welfare Acts provide for subpostmasters and prohibit contractors from being insured persons, the Minister will agree therefore that subpostmasters cannot be described as contractors?
No, I do not agree.
Is it not a fact that if the subpostmasters are contractors, they cannot be insured? Therefore, if they are insured, they cannot be described as contractors? The Minister admits they are insured?
All this is argument.
If they are insured, they cannot be described as contractors.
That does not follow.
If it is established that these people are contractors, what steps will the Minister take to refund the contributions they have already paid?
That is entirely outside the question.