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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

263 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether participants on community employment schemes who are currently paying a stamp are entitled to keep their benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22535/96]

The Social Welfare Act, 1996 provided for the introduction of class A PRSI for community employment workers commencing such employment on or after 6 April 1996. In addition, provision was made for existing community employment workers, that is, those who commenced community employment prior to 6 April 1996, to be given the option of paying class A PRSI, if they wished, or of continuing with their existing class J PRSI. Existing community employment workers were given until 30 April 1996, to exercise that option and those who opted for class A PRSI will continue to pay class A for the duration of their employment on community employment. It is not possible for them to revert to class J at a later date.

The introduction of class A PRSI contributions for community employment workers places community employment on a par with other class A employment in so far as social insurance is concerned. Community employment workers get a paid PRSI contribution for each week on community employment instead of the credited contribution which they would have received previously. The resulting increased number of paid contributions will improve the insurance record of community employment workers and help them to qualify for social insurance benefits and pensions in the future.
By virtue of paying class A PRSI contributions, persons returning to the live register after completing a period of community employment, may qualify or requalify for unemployment benefit rather than reverting to long-term unemployment assistance LTUA. In the case of persons who qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit, their earnings in the relevant tax year will determine whether or not they receive a graduated rate or the full rate of unemployment benefit. Persons entitled to a reduced or graduated rate of unemployment benefit are entitled to claim unemployment assistance if it is more beneficial to them. However, LTUA is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit.
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