Vol. 428 No. 3
58 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 in order to determine his entitlement to qualify under the PRSI exemption scheme since he has obtained employment; whether he qualifies under this scheme as he has been advised that he does not qualify since he was not on full time unemployment benefit for 13 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The employer's PRSI exemption scheme was introduced in September 1992. It applies to employers who recruit additional employees from the live register between 19 October 1992 and 19 September 1993. The original closing date for recruitment under the scheme was 19 March 1993. However, I recently extended this date to 19 September 1993 to allow employers to make maximum use of the scheme.
No formal application relating to the person concerned has been received in the headquarters section of my Department which decides claims under the scheme. However, inquiries have been made with my Department's relevant local office. These inquiries indicate that an application form was endorsed by that office to the effect that the employee concerned might not be eligible. This was because he had not signed the live register for the usual minimum immediately preceding recruitment. It appears that, as a result, the employer did not forward the application for a formal decision.
The employer concerned has been contacted and advised to submit an application form to the relevant section in my Department so that a formal decision can be given. When a decision has been reached in this case I will communicate directly with the Deputy.
