My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.
I can confirm that my Department received a lump sum claim for the individual concerned on 4 August, 2009. Upon examination of the redundancy claim, it appeared that the individual concerned did not have the required class of social welfare contributions with the company. On that basis, my Department raised a query with the Department Social Protection in relation to the individual's insurance class status. I understand that a decision in this regard is expected shortly. If it emerges that the individual does not have the necessary social welfare contributions with the company, my Department will be obliged to refuse payment of the claim.
Issues relating to the insurability of employees under the Social Welfare Acts must be decided in accordance with the decisions and appeals procedures provided for in the Social Welfare Acts, as administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Where an employee is dissatisfied with a decision as to insurability under these Acts, he or she may appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The contact address is: The Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2. Notice of Appeal forms are available from the Social Welfare Appeals Office or from local offices of the Dept of Social and Family Affairs.