asked the Minister for Finance whether receipts gathered such as social welfare payments paid by arrangement direct to the sheriff's office are automatically transferred to the credit of the Government Department involved or if there is an established limit on the amount of time before they are credited to the benefit of such Department; and if he is satisfied with the present arrangements.
Written Answers. - Transfer of Receipts.
38.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to arrears of PRSI, health contributions and various levies which are referred by the Revenue Commissioners to the sheriffs for enforcement.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the transfer to Revenue of moneys paid to the sheriffs, including these contributions and levies, operates under guidelines drawn up by Revenue. These guidelines are aimed at ensuring that delays in transmission are kept to the minimum, due account being taken of what is administratively feasible in the offices of the sheriffs and the Collector General. The Revenue have indicated that present procedures in this regard operate satisfactorily. The procedures are being kept under review in the light of experience with their operation.
I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that all contributions collected and brought to account by them on behalf of other Departments are paid over to those other Departments regularly in accordance with arrangements agreed by all concerned.