Vol. 449 No. 4
68 Mr. P. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has for the introduction of full PRSI for new entrants to the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3903/95]
As indicated in the Budget Statement of 26 January 1994, modified PRSI cover will no longer apply to new public sector employees recruited on or after 6 April 1995. My colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare, will be making the necessary regulations to give effect to this change.
These new recruits will, accordingly, be liable for the class A rate of PRSI contribution and will be treated no differently than existing full-rate PRSI contributors as far as social welfare benefits are concerned.
These occupational schemes, such as the sick pay and pension schemes, of such employees will be amended to take account of their entitlement to the full range of social welfare benefits. These amended conditions of employment will be in accordance with the arrangements applicable to other groups of public servants — comprising a large proportion of the public sector workforce — who already have class A PRSI status.
Full consultations with staff interests about these revised conditions of service are underway in different parts of the public sector.
