(Limerick East): asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason temporary teachers are required to pay PRSI under class D as if they were pensionable full time public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Temporary Teachers' PRSI.
21.
Regulations made under the Social Welfare Acts modify the rate of PRSI contribution payable in respect of certain employments and occupations mainly in the public sector. Pensionable employment as a teacher is one of the employments so affected. Normally the modified rate of contribution is only payable in respect of persons in employment which is both permanent and pensionable. However, under the existing regulations the modified rate also applies to national teachers and teachers in domestic science training colleges who have been appointed to pensionable teaching posts in a temporary capacity.
At the time these regulations were introduced the teachers concerned were normally made permanent after a short period. Accordingly, the additional cost both to them and their employers of the full PRSI rate of contribution during the period they were employed in a temporary capacity could not be justified as the cover provided would not be required by them. However, the situation has changed in recent years in this regard and a number of teachers are now remaining in pensionable posts in a temporary capacity for much longer periods than heretofore. In view of this I accept that the insurability position of these teachers needs to be reviewed.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government have decided in principle to extend the social insurance cover of all public sector workers on the modified rate and substantive negotiations will be taking place shortly with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions with a view to implementation on an agreed basis from April 1990. The position of temporary teachers insurable at the modified rate will be examined in this context.