Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the benefit of S class contributions which a person (details supplied) was deemed to make, arising from income received from an approved retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33108/23]
View answerThe person concerned was awarded the maximum rate State Pension (contributory) with effect from 19th May 2023.
The class S contributions paid by the person concerned were included in the calculation for their State Pension (contributory).
There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them. Where all qualification criteria for the particular scheme are satisfied, PRSI contributions in Class S give access to the following benefits:
• State Pension (Contributory);
• Adoptive Benefit;
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory);
• Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed);
• Invalidity Pension (for long term illness);
• Maternity Benefit;
• Parent's Benefit;
• Partial Capacity Benefit;
• Paternity Benefit;
• Treatment Benefit; and
• Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
Self-employed people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability may qualify for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance. Further information on these schemes is available at www.gov.ie/illnessdisabilitycaring
My Department keeps its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context and also in the context of the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
