asked the Minister for Social Welfare the arrangements made within his Department to check the register of employers to ensure that moneys being deducted under the PRSI scheme are paid to his Department without delay; and if he is aware of the number of young people deprived of benefits, to which they are entitled, because former employers have not made the appropriate payments on their behalf.
Written Answers. - PRSI Scheme.
52.
A register of employers, compiled in conjunction with the office of the Revenue Commissioners, is maintained in my Department and surveys of all employers on this register are done on a systematic basis to ensure that they are paying PRSI contributions due in respect of their employees at the proper time. One-fifth of the total number of reputable employers is surveyed each year while in the case of employers whose record of payment of contributions is less than satisfactory a survey is carried out at least once a year.
Where an employer fails to pay contributions in respect of an employee who claims benefit there is provision in social welfare legislation for the grant of special credits to ensure that such an employee does not suffer any loss of benefit solely by reason of the employer's failure to pay contributions due in respect of him. If the Deputy is aware of any case in which he considers that a claimant was refused benefit because of the non-payment of PRSI contributions I will arrange to have the matter investigated if he will be good enough to furnish details of the name, address and RSI number of the person concerned.