Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for processing of claims relating to self-employment by scope section from submission of a claim to the issue of a determination; and the median time for processing of claims relating to self-employment from submission of a claim to the issue of a determination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45670/17]
View answerThe Scope insurability section in my Department makes statutory decisions on the insurability of employment under the Social Welfare Acts. Employers, employees or the self-employed, may apply, where there is doubt, to have an employment or self-employment status investigated and the correct class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) determined.
In 2016, the Department made 1,031 insurability decisions across three broad categories:
- working directors (including self-employed),
- family employment, and
- miscellaneous (including public servants, office holders and subsidiary employments).
The processing time for decisions, including decisions relating to self-employment, varies considerably depending on the complexity of the case. Straightforward cases may be processed in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases, particularly where there is a conflict of view between a worker and an employer, may take considerably longer, as both parties will have to be interviewed by social welfare inspectors and legal advice may be sought. The average length of time for complex cases is 13 weeks.
