asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider changing the regulations to allow women who have taken a number of years off from paid employment to be with children to claim benefit despite this break in their contributions; his views on whether this would be a contribution towards equality for women and would be a recognition of the work of women in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Contributions.
161.
Contributions under the social welfare code are either paid or credited. Paid contributions must relate to employment which is insurable under the legislation while credited contributions may only be awarded in respect of specified contingencies such as certified incapacity or proven unemployment.
There is no provision at present to award credited contributions to women working in the home who have left insurable employment and who do not otherwise qualify for credited contributions. To do so would have wide-ranging implications for levels of benefit take-up with consequential significant additional costs. Women who leave insurable employment to work in the home remain eligible for short-term benefits for up to two years after ceasing to pay PRSI contributions. In addition, those who have at least three years contributions may apply to become voluntary contributors in order to preserve their insurance for pension purposes.
The extension over two years ago of dental, optical and aural benefits to the dependent spouses of qualified insured workers has been a major recognition of women working in the home. To date, almost 125,000 dependent spouses have claimed treatment under the new scheme.