Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
570. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of all social welfare entitlements arising from PRSI contributions for PAYE workers in receipt of widow’s and widower’s pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49099/18]
View answerThe entitlements of PAYE workers in receipt of widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension will depend on the class of social insurance contribution an individual has paid.
Social welfare entitlements are based on the class of PRSI being paid for an individual. For example, Class A contributors pay a higher combined employee and employer PRSI rate and qualify for all social welfare payments, whereas modified rate contributors pay a smaller combined PRSI rate and qualify for a smaller set of entitlements.
The PRSI contributions classes that give entitlement to widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension are Classes A, E, B, C, D, H and S.
A widow, widower or surviving civil partner who pays PRSI at Class A gains entitlement to all social welfare schemes whereas a widow, widower or surviving civil partner who is a Class B modified rate contributor will not qualify for State pension contributory, jobseeker's benefit, maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, paternity benefit, health and safety benefit, treatment benefit, illness benefit, invalidity pension and partial capacity benefit. A Class B contributor also gains entitlement to limited occupational injuries benefits only.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
