Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
78. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is correct and acceptable that someone on the Gateway scheme can earn less than if that person (details supplied) in County Laois remained on social welfare benefits . [5317/15]
View answerGateway is a Local Authority initiative which aims to provide short-term quality and suitable work opportunities to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more.
All employees who have income over €352 per week are liable for Class A PRSI contribution at a rate of 4% on the total earnings. Employees are also subject to normal income tax and payroll deductions if their level of earnings brings them into the tax net. This also applies to employees in the private and public sector and those engaged in other work placements initiatives such as Tús, community employment, gateway and the rural social scheme.
Participants on employment schemes, who pay Class A, can establish entitlement to the full range of short term benefits including jobseeker’s benefit, illness benefit, and maternity benefit and to long term benefits including state pension (contributory).
The Department continues to work with the Local Authorities to highlight the benefits of work placements to allow the person affected to remain on the scheme or to identify other activation opportunities.
The experience gained on work placements can greatly enhance a person’s ability to identify other work and development opportunities to access the jobs market. Additional benefits that must be considered in this context are the provision of participants with paid annual leave and the opportunity to engage in paid work in the hours they are not working on the scheme.
