Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Social Insurance Schemes.

Noel Dempsey

Ceist:

315 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the legislation was introduced which precludes family members from the benefits of the social welfare insurance schemes; the reason it is still in place; the plans, if any, he has to change it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Provisions excepting prescribed relatives from insurability have applied since the Social Welfare Act 1952 came into operation in January 1953. Under the provisions of the Acts and Regulations, employment in the service of the spouse is expected from insurance. Also excepted is employment of defined categories of relatives in the common home or a corresponding home. However, a prescribed relative who is employed under a written contract of service or apprenticeship is insurable.

These provisions continued the conditions that had applied under the former National Health Insurance Acts where such employment without money payment was excepted from insurance.

The prescribed categories who are excepted comprise close relatives of the employed person who are normally family helpers who reside with the employed person and are not subject to a contract of employment.

Self-employed persons were brought into social insurance under the Social Welfare Acts from 1988 and analogous provisions were made excepting prescribed categories of relatives from self-employed insurance.

These issues were considered by the National Pensions Board and in their final report they made some suggestions regarding the possibilities of making voluntary contributorship available to such persons. These proposals and other possible approaches are being considered at present by my Department.