Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

387 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be scheduled, as promised, to decide the appeals being dealt with by the scope section of his Department from contract meter readers; and when he hopes the decisions will issue in these test cases. [20031/01]

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 the 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 – PRSI Class S.

The ESB Meter Readers' Association have 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 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 S 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. It is not possible to give a precise date for this oral hearing at present but, subject to the availability of all the parties to the appeal, it is hoped to set it up during the next two months.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to insurability 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.