Vol. 421 No. 1
17 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in regard to any future amnesties for employers in regard to non-payment of PRSI, he will ensure that procedures are set in place which will ensure that it is possible to identify the amount collected or remitted as a result of any such amnesty and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An amnesty against prosecution was available for employers between March and December of last year as part of my Department's anti-fraud campaign.
I indicated in my reply to a Dáil Question on 25 February last, that it is not possible to identify separately from other PRSI receipts the amounts collected by or remitted to the Revenue Commissioners directly as a result of the operation of the amnesty.
The amnesty was a special and probably once-off arrangement to allow employers time to regularise their affairs. My Department initiated a major stepping up of control measures in 1991 and this campaign will continue and may be further intensified.
Should there be a future amnesty I will examine the feasibility, and the staff resources required, to maintain a separate record of amnesty receipts. I cannot give a commitment not to establish such a record.
