asked the Minister for Finance the action that has been taken to recover income tax which has been paid by employees of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; the length of time the payments are outstanding; and if he is aware that pay-related benefit for employees who have been made redundant is being held up as a result of the non-payment of their tax by their employer.

The secrecy provisions imposed on the Revenue Commissioners in relation to tax matters preclude the giving of any information about the tax affairs of the employer in question.

There are, however, provisions for the payment of pay-related social insurance benefit by the Department of Social Welfare where details of an employee's earnings are not available from the Revenue records. In these circumstances the Department of Social Welfare, to obviate delay, request the claimant to furnish a certificate of earnings from the employer. Payment of the benefit due is then made by reference to this certificate.

Can the Minister indicate whether, in the case referred to by Deputy Crinion, the procedure outlined in regard to claims for pay-related benefit has been followed?

I understand that the person in question was written to on 6th May and asked to submit some outstanding information but that this letter has not been replied to.

The person being the applicant for pay-related benefit?

Yes.