asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who have been voluntary contributors under the Social Welfare Acts for each of the past five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Voluntary Contributors.
38.
The number of voluntary contributors under the Social Welfare Acts for each of the years 1957 to 1961 was 2,430, 1,121, 1,193, 1,708 and 2,891. The figure for the year 1961 is not a final one as the period within which voluntary contributions may be paid in respect of that year has not expired.
39.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare what arrangements are in existence for notifying persons who cease to be compulsorily insurable under the Social Welfare Acts of their rights to become voluntary contributors, and of the advantages to be derived from so doing.
Each insurance card issued by my Department contains a note advising the insured person that if he ceases to be insurably employed and wishes to continue his insurance as a voluntary contributor he should notify my Department immediately. When my Department becomes aware that a person's employment has ceased to be compulsorily insurable a copy of a leaflet detailing the conditions to be satisfied, the contributions payable by a person wishing to become a voluntary contributor and the advantages to be derived from voluntary insurance is sent to the person concerned together with the necessary application form even in the absence of an intimation that he wishes to continue as a voluntary contributor. Where special arrangements exist for the payment of contributions other than by means of insurance cards as in the case of Government Departments, local authorities and statutory transport undertakings the leaflet is issued by the employing Department in the case of civil servants and by my Department in the other cases.
40.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare what benefits are available to persons who are voluntary contributors under the Social Welfare Acts.
There are two classes of voluntary contributors, one paying contributions at the weekly rate of 4/9d. and the other paying contributions at the weekly rate of 2/6d. Voluntary contributions at the 4/9d. rate are reckonable for the purposes of old age contributory pension and widow's contributory pension. Voluntary contributions at the 2/6d. rate are reckonable for the purpose of widow's contributory pension only. Both classes of voluntary contributors and their dependants are eligible for certain services available under the Health Acts to persons insured under the Social Welfare Acts.