asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in connection with the failure by employers to stamp insurance cards; and the corrective measures taken by his Department on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stamping of Insurance Cards.
11.
As I indicated in reply to previous questions, I have amended the relevant regulations so as to enable contributions to be credited where an employer fails or neglects to pay social insurance contributions due, and the employee is blameless in the matter. To meet those cases in which paid contributions are necessary to enable insured persons to qualify for benefit I undertook to amend the Social Welfare Acts to give me power to enable contributions which have not been paid by an employer to be treated as paid. A provision to this effect has been included in the Social Welfare Bill which is at present before the Dáil.
The measures already taken and those now proposed will safeguard insured persons against loss of benefit which they might otherwise suffer. Employers will not, however, be relieved of their responsibilities in the matter. Provisions have also been included in the Bill providing for the recovery from a defaulting employer of the amount of any benefit paid in the circumstances mentioned, and for the imposition of stiffer penalties on such employers.