I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 40 together.
The issue raised by the Deputies relates to those former community employment workers who revert to the live register after completing a period on a CE scheme, and who, by virtue of having paid class A PRSI contributions, may qualify or requalify for unemployment benefit rather than reverting to long-term unemployment assistance. As a consequence, they lose entitlement to the social welfare secondary benefits which are payable only with long-term welfare payments.
The problem arises as a direct consequence of the extension of class A PRSI to community employment workers, which was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1996. The purpose of this measure was to enhance the PRSI status of community employment workers and to put them on a par with other class A workers.
In the case of persons who qualify or requalify for unemployment benefit their earnings in the relevant tax year will determine whether they receive a graduated rate or the full rate of unemployment benefit. Persons entitled to a reduced or graduated rate of unemployment benefit are entitled to claim unemployment assistance if it is more beneficial to them. However, long-term unemployment assistance is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit. The social welfare secondary benefits, including butter vouchers and the free fuel allowance, are payable only with long-term social welfare payments. Similarly, the continued payment of child dependant allowances in respect of children aged over 18 and in full-time education applies only to recipients of long-term payments. Unemployment benefit claimants do not, therefore, have an entitlement to these benefits and payments.
Secondary benefits can, however, be retained if the person transfers from a community employment scheme to a back-to-work allowance scheme or jobstart, etc. It is important to note also that as regards income-related secondary benefits such as rent allowance, medical cards and differential rents, the position is that, in the normal course, former community employment workers who are solely dependent on a social welfare payment would continue, where appropriate, to receive these benefits.
