asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the fact that a number of persons who became voluntary contributors, having at the time exceeded the maximum limit for compulsory insurance, are again subject to compulsory insurance; but that they are being deprived of some of the benefits for which they were previously covered; and if he will introduce legislation which will enable such persons to receive full benefits under the Social Welfare Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Insurance Contributions.
27.
I am aware that because of the raising of the income limit for social insurance purposes in the case of non-manual workers from £800 to £1,200 a year, many voluntary contributors have again become compulsorily insurable. I am not, however, aware that such persons are being deprived of any of the benefits for which they would have been covered had they continued without interruption in compulsory insurance. Those of them who had been insured for all benefits prior to exit from compulsory insurance because of the operation of the £800 limit, continued, as voluntary contributors, to be covered for widows' and orphans' and old age contributory pensions. By virtue of regulations already made they have been credited with employment contributions for a period sufficient to render them immediately eligible for those other benefits to which title could not have been preserved on a voluntary basis.
However, a person who ceased to be insured for the full range of benefits because of entry into employment in respect of which, but for operation of the £800 limit, he would have been required to pay contributions at the special rate giving cover only for widows' and orphans' pensions, can be insured only for these benefits on again becoming compulsorily insurable in that employment.