Vol. 492 No. 1
191 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will allow a person (details supplied) in County Offaly to make voluntary PRSI contributions; the reason for his decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13523/98]
In order to become a voluntary contributor a person must have at least 156 weeks PRSI paid under compulsory social insurance in either employment or self employment, apply within 12 months after the end of the contribution year during which compulsory insurance was last paid as an employed or self employed contributor or during which a credited contribution was last awarded and agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week after the week in which compulsory insurance ceased or a credited contribution was awarded.
The person concerned has applied to become a voluntary contributor. However, as her last paid or credited contributions were in respect of the 1994-95 contribution year, the application cannot be accepted as it is outside the permitted time limit. Further inquiries are being made to establish whether contributions are due in respect of subsequent contribution years and, if so, the circumstances in which such contributions were not paid. The question of her application to become a voluntary contributor will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
