Vol. 483 No. 6
321 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his Department has received a letter from the Secretary of the Cork Council of Trade Unions regarding community employment scheme workers who are allowed to select either Class J or Class A contributions. [21090/97]
The letter referred to by the Deputy is one of a number of representations I received regarding the entitlements of former community employment workers.
The Deputy will be aware that the introduction of class A PRSI for community employment workers commencing such employment on or after 6 April 1996, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1996. Provision was also made for existing community employment workers, i.e. those who had commenced their scheme 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.
As a result of the introduction of this measure, community employment workers who revert to the live register may qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit as a result of having paid at least 13 classs A PRSI contributions.
In such cases, the 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, long-term unemployment assistance is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit.
The social welfare secondary benefits, including the Christmas bonus, are payable only with long-term social welfare payments. Unemployment benefit claimants do not therefore have an entitlement to these benefits. While I recognise the difficulties faced by community employment workers who re-qualify for unemployment benefit when their period of community employment finishes, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot introduce special concessionary arrangements for such people without having equal regard to the position of other short-term social welfare payment recipients. Any such concessions would, accordingly, carry an extremely high cost and could only be considered in light of available resources and in the light of other priorities.
322 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will grant a third-level allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21138/97]
The third level allowance is an educational opportunities programme which is aimed specifically at unemployed people and lone parents. To participate, a person must be at least 21 years of age and in receipt of an unemployment or lone parent payment for at least six months immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.
