asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason there was only a 12 month retrospective refund payment of wet-time contributions paid to a number of employees of Louth County Council as the refund claims were for much longer periods.

It is provided by statute that contributions paid under the wet-time scheme under the erroneous belief that they were payable may be refunded for a period not exceeding 12 months prior to the date on which application for their refund is made.

The initial letter from the Louth County Council to the Department raising the question of the insurability of the persons concerned under the wet-time scheme was dated 22 June 1982 and refunds of contributions were made in respect of the period 22 June 1981 to 2 August 1982, the last date on which contributions were paid.

Having regard to the fact that the wet-time contributions should not have been made in the first place, does the Minister think that just to make a refund for a period of 12 months is simply not good enough and that he should examine the regulations immediately with a view to rectifying this situation that applies with regard to the refunds of deductions made?

I said it is provided by statute that I am permitted to make a repayment only on the basis of 12 months from the time of application.