Vol. 477 No. 6
14 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has satisfied himself with the operation of the changes introduced to community employment schemes in April 1996 in relation to PRSI, particularly in view of the fact that those leaving the schemes lose their entitlements to secondary benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9552/97]
The Social Welfare Act, 1996, provided for the extension of class A PRSI to community employment workers. Class A PRSI provides cover for the full range of benefits and pensions available under the social insurance system including, for example, unemployment benefit, disability benefit, maternity benefit, retirement pension, old age contributory pension, widow's contributory pension, treatment-dental and optical-benefits and occupational injuries benefit. The purpose of this measure was to enhance the PRSI status of community employment workers and to put them on a par with other class A workers.
The issue raised by the Deputy relates to the position of those community employment workers who return to the live register when their period of community employment finishes. By virtue of having paid class A PRSI contributions, persons returning to the live register after completing community employment may qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit rather than reverting to long-term unemployment assistance. In the case of persons who qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit, their earnings in the relevant tax year will determine whether 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, long-term unemployment assistance is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit.
