asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position of apprentices pursuing courses with AnCO with particular reference to insurance (PRSI).
Written Answers. - AnCO Apprentices.
505.
The employment of persons either (a) apprenticed to AnCO or (b) apprenticed to an employer but on block-release for partial training by AnCO is insurable and PRSI Class A contribution is payable. This contribution gives cover for all social insurance benefits and pensions.
In the case of those at (a), AnCO, as the employer, are liable for payment of the full contribution while for those at (b) the employer to whom the employee is apprenticed is liable for payment of the full contribution for the duration of the course.
Contributions are payable at the Class J rate for unemployed persons while they are in attendance at training courses provided or approved of by AnCO. These contributions provide cover for occupational injury benefits. In addition persons attending such a course are awarded special credited contributions, for the duration of the course, which can be used to preserve any entitlement to unemployment benefit, disability and treatment benefits, retirement, contributory old age and widows' pensions, deserted wife's benefit and death grant, which they had built up prior to attending the course.