Cecilia Keaveney
Question:217 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of employer inspections per county which took place in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the action taken. [3103/97]
Written Answers. - Employer Inspections.
The total number of employer inspections carried out by inspectors of my Department during 1996 was 9,440. A breakdown by county is not readily available but the following is the position by region:
|
Dublin |
2,760 |
|
North-East |
580 |
|
South |
2,183 |
|
South-East |
931 |
|
Midwest |
923 |
|
North-West |
745 |
|
West |
772 |
|
Midlands |
546 |
|
Total |
9,440 |
Of the employers inspected during the year, 7,408 — 78 per cent — were found to have their affairs in order. Arrears of PRSI/PAYE amounting to £12.97 million were determined in the other cases and appropriate follow-up action to recover these arrears is under way. In addition to ensuring compliance with PRSI rules checks are carried out by inspectors to ensure that employees are not concurrently working and claiming unemployment or illness payments. In 1996, a total of 86 cases in respect of offences under the Social Welfare Acts, 30 of which related to employers, were finalised by the courts. Convictions were obtained in 75 of these cases, 28 of which related to employers.