Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the issue raised. Senators Craughwell and Burke have raised it with me on several occasions. I know there are other interested parties here also. They have long-running concerns regarding the payment of class K contributions by public office holders. The introduction of class K for public office holders was a solidarity measure introduced among other income-generating initiatives in budget 2011, during the financial crisis, with PRSI acting as the mechanism for collection. Several other measures were also introduced during the financial crisis, and some of these, such as the USC, are still in place.

There seems to be cross-party support on this. I am happy to hear that. Class K was introduced as a solidarity measure involving Oireachtas Members during the financial crisis. In that regard, perhaps this matter should be considered as part of the wider public sector pay restoration agreement. Talks on this are under way. Maybe it is in these talks that progress should be made on this. I have given this a lot of consideration over the past year.If there was a Private Members’ Bill with Members from every political party attaching to it, this could be considered, in particular for those on class K who are officeholders in this House, and I know there are also members of the Judiciary on class K. All in all, there are 100,000 people on class K, believe it or not.