Ms Mary Kennedy:

The system is everybody pays the contribution at present and a number of people will claim. There is critical mass across income distribution. Some people pay very high amounts of social insurance while others pay very little. An employee earning less than €356 does not make any social insurance contribution. This is why it is important the entire system is compulsory. The social insurance fund receives significant income from which the expenditure that arises can be defrayed.

With regard to Senator Moloney's contribution, I made a point about employment ceasing, and the point is also valid with regard to low income as a result of a downturn in business. A person's work may have dried up and he or she may get an odd bit of work here and there. If such people prove to the local office they have an entitlement to or are in need of income support, the fact they have obtained a bit of work will not affect their entitlement.