asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person earning less than £3,000 p.a., but who is also a shareholder in the firm with whom he is employed, is obliged to pay social welfare contributions.

A person who is insurably employed is obliged to pay social welfare contributions.

Normally a shareholder of a firm holding office under a contract of service with that firm is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. If, however, the shareholder has a controlling interest in the firm the employment is not insurable.

The rate of remuneration payable does not affect the question of insurability under the Acts.

Would a person with a minority shareholding of, say, 49 per cent still be obliged to contribute?

I cannot advise the Deputy's constituents. I can only tell them what the law is in the matter.