asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider raising the ceiling of £800 per annum for insurance contributors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ceiling for Insurance Contributions.
33.
Under the Social Welfare Acts, manual workers are insurable irrespective of their rate of wages. Persons employed otherwise than by way of manual labour are not insurable if their remuneration exceeds £800 a year. The remuneration limit of £800 a year, which is equivalent to approximately £15 7s. a week, has applied since the 29th December, 1958. Non-Manual workers whose remuneration exceeds the limit, and who, therefore, cease to be compulsorily insurable have the option of maintaining their insurance for certain purposes by becoming voluntary contributors.
From my examination of the position, I do not consider that amending legislation is required at this stage, but, as I stated on the 16th November last in reply to a similar question, the matter is being kept under review in my Department.