Vol. 519 No. 4
109 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reasons persons in their early to mid 60s who have been previously self-employed are excluded from signing on for credits and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14038/00]
Regulations currently provide for the award of credited PRSI contributions in certain circumstances to people who were previously in insurable employment. Credited contributions may not be awarded, however, where the last paid contribution made by the person in question was in respect of self-employment, class S, regardless of the person's age or previous employment history.
It is recognised that the absence of class S credited contributions within the wider social insurance system can present difficulties in some cases. The question of providing for the award of class S credited contributions would have to have regard to the cost implications in terms of creating entitlements to benefits in the future.
