asked the Minister for Social Welfare why workers are not statutorily insurable until 16 years of age and having regard to the encouragement that this gives to the employment of juveniles to their own detriment, if he will take steps to ensure that workers are insured from the age of 14 years; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Juvenile Insurance.
6.
The minimum age for insurable employment has been 16 years ever since the introduction of social insurance in this country and the precise reasons for adopting that lower limit are not now clear. While I do not accept that non-liability for employment contributions could be a decisive factor in encouraging the employment of juveniles to their own detriment I will have the question of the minimum age examined. I must point out to the Deputy, however, that whatever the outcome of this examination the minimum age could not be set below 15 years which is now the school leaving age.