Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 3

Written Answers - Contract Meter Readers.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

134 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the outcome of appeals by contract meter readers being dealt with by the scope section of his Department; and when he hopes the decisions will issue in these test cases. [12601/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Contract meter readers engaged by the ESB are considered to be self-employed persons for social insurance purposes. Successive decisions by deciding officers of my Department and, where appropriate, by appeals officers of the social welfare appeals office have confirmed this position. Accordingly, contract meter readers pay PRSI as self-employed persons, that is PRSI class S.

The ESB Meter Readers Association has sought a further review of the employment status and PRSI position of contract meter readers. They were invited to submit a number of test cases to the scope section in the Department for formal decisions on the matter.

Six test cases were submitted to the Department and a deciding officer, having considered the available evidence, concluded that the persons concerned are self-employed for social insurance purposes and that PRSI class 9 is appropriate.

The persons concerned have appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. Having made a preliminary examination of these cases an appeals officer has concluded that an oral appeal hearing is necessary. This will be arranged as soon as possible.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to the decision-making process.