David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the few sections we support and we will oppose the Fianna Fáil amendments for good reason. I welcome that more income is being subjected to PRSI, which will help build up the Social Insurance Fund. The logic is to have enough money to pay the benefits people obviously need and get, as a consequence of paying into the Social Insurance Fund. I believe all income should be subjected to PRSI. However, there should be a quid pro quo. I understand that the income we are discussing will be disregarded when determining entitlement to social insurance contributions, which is unfair. If we are subjecting the income we are discussing to PRSI payment, then it should be taken into account for contributions paid, but based on my understanding of the Bill, this income is disregarded, which is unfair. I ask the Minister to respond to that aspect.