andMr. S. Dunne asked the Minister for Social Welfare what steps he proposes to take to ensure that those men, particularly men with large families, who benefitted from the twelve per cent wage increase do not lose the usual benefits under the social welfare code where their income is thereby put outside the qualifying limit of £800 per annum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
76.
Dr. Browne
The qualifying limit for insurance under the Social Welfare Acts to which the Deputies refer applies only to persons who are employed mainly in a non-manual capacity. There is no limit in the case of manual workers. The question of raising the present limit has been under examination and it has been decided to defer the matter while the Select Committee of the Dáil is considering the Health Services.
Title to the usual benefits available under the Acts does not cease immediately on termination of insurance by reason of the effect of the qualifying limit. In the case of men, cover for such benefits could in certain circumstances continue for a period of 17 months after the end of the year in which compulsory insurance ceases. Moreover, non-manual workers who cease to be compulsorily insurable when their earnings exceed £800 a year, can maintain insurance for certain benefits by becoming voluntary contributors.
Of course, they lose all the benefits they had prior to that, such as unemployment and sickness benefit.
Unemployment and disability, yes.
Would the Minister not agree that if they get a wage increase it is usually based on a fall in the value of money? When they get a percentage increase, therefore, surely the qualifying limit should rise by that percentage?
That is not a question; it is an argument.
I do not think that has been the fact in the case of the last few wage increases