Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
530. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the way an underpayment to a person (details supplied) arose in view of the fact that a class A contribution is greater than a class D contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52683/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that in 1995, a coordinated pension scheme came into effect for public servants, and those who were newly appointed as teachers were automatically included in the Class A Social Welfare Scheme.
Prior to this, only part-time teachers and teachers who had opted out of the pension scheme, or were unable to become a member of the scheme, were Class A contributors. They continued to be Class A contributors when they received appointments as Regular Part Time (RPT), Permanent or Contracts of Indefinite duration.
Changes to employment terms under the Protection of Employees (Part Time Work) Act 2001 and the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2006, changed the definition of Eligible Part Time (EPT), with a minimum number of hours per week contract, to Regular Part Time (RPT) with no specified minimum hourly contract. This had the effect of changing the eligibility criteria for admission into the pre 1995 pension scheme and modified social welfare for part time teachers, who has less than 9 hour contracts, and who were serving prior to 1995 and continued in service after 1995.
In some instances, an adjustment was required to take place in order to offset an overpayment of Social Welfare contributions, versus an underpayment of pension contributions.
As the circumstances in relation to individual cases can vary, depending on service, I can advise the Deputy that a member of staff from the Post Primary Payroll Section of my Department has been in contact with the teacher concerned, in order to review past service, and to advise her of the position in relation to this matter.
