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.