Vol. 415 No. 9
204 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made whereby persons on DPMA can also sign for credits towards social insurance in order to enable these persons establish eligibility for the normal welfare benefits available to insured workers when they get temporary or part-time work opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Credited contributions are awarded to persons who, having been in insurable employment and having paid PRSI contributions are certified as incapable of work or as unemployed. Where a person has no contributions paid or credited for two full tax years credits cannot be awarded until he returns to work and pays PRSI contributions for at least 26 weeks. Only a recipient of disabled person's maintenance allowance who has previously been in insurable employment or in receipt of benefit could be awarded credited contributions subject to the normal conditions and to my Department receiving continuing medical evidence of incapacity for work.
