Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:318 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare the way in which the new A9 stamp affects secondary benefits for FÁS workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14387/96]
Written Answers. - PRSI Contributions.
This year's Social Welfare Act provided for the introduction of Class A PRSI for new Community Employment (CE) workers with effect from 6 April 1996. As an exceptional measure, existing CE workers on 6 April last were given until 30 April 1996 to opt for Class A if they so wished; otherwise, they continued to be insured at Class J PRSI.
The introduction of Class A PRSI does not affect entitlement to the usual social welfare secondary benefits (such as Christmas bonus, fuel allowance and butter vouchers) while the CE workers involved are participating on CE as they retain entitlement to any secondary benefits they received immediately prior to going on to CE (subject to an income limit of £250 per week and to a ceiling of £250 per month on rent/mortgage supplement).
In the normal course, CE workers who have paid Class A PRSI and who subsequently return to the live register when their CE finishes, would have their entitlement to secondary benefits determined by reference to whether or not they qualify for unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance or long-term unemployment assistance. The social welfare secondary benefits mentioned above are payable only to those getting long-term unemployment assistance. I am having the special position of CE workers examined by my Department to identify ways in which existing entitlements may be safeguarded.
As regards other income-related secondary benefits such as rent or mortgage supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, medical cards and differential rents, the position is that, in the normal course, former CE workers who are solely dependent on a social welfare payment should continue, where appropriate, to receive these benefits.