Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1965

Vol. 219 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stamping of Insurance Cards.

80.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in taking effective action against an employer who defaulted in stamping the insurance cards of an employee (details supplied); when a contributory widow's pension will be paid to the widow of the former employee; and the loss to the widow to date occasioned by the employer's default.

There has been no avoidable delay in taking action against the employer.

A contributory pension cannot be paid to the widow of the employee until the employer pays the insurance contributions due in respect of him.

The net loss of pension to the widow is £60 18s. 6d. This is the difference between the amount of widow's (contributory) pension which would have been paid if awarded from the date of her husband's death and the amount of widow's (non-contributory) pension which she has received.

What happens if the employer does not pay?

It is a civil debt between the person who is victimised and the employer.

Is there not a discretion with the Minister for Social Welfare to initiate proceedings on behalf of the aggrieved employed person, or the employed person's dependant, where the employed person has died, to require the employer to provide the stamps? Is it not open to the Minister to proceed himself?

There is. That is what is happening at the moment. We are proceeding to have the card stamped and the arrears of contribution paid.

And when that is done, the arrears of pension are payable, too?

No, the arrears are not payable. The arrears will then be a matter between the person concerned and the defaulting employer.

If the person concerned fails to recover from the employer by reason of bankruptcy or something like that, what happens?

The person is at a loss. Only the non-contributory pension is available then.

This requires clarification. Suppose the card had been stamped in accordance with the law and the employed person died and his widow applied and got the pension as from the date of the deceased man's death. If the Department succeed in getting the card stamped up to the date of the man's death, why will you not pay the unfortunate woman the arrears of widow's pension you would have paid her if the employer had complied with the law and stamped the card before the workman died?

It is obviously the employer's liability.

Supposing the employer is bankrupt? Why leave the widow without the money?

In the meantime the widow is being paid the non-contributory pension, which is all she can be paid.

Top
Share