Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of contributors in 2007 to the social insurance fund with a breakdown of this figure by PRSI class type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24732/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Insured workers are required to pay PRSI contributions based on their level of income. These contributions provide entitlement to benefits and pensions under various social insurance schemes. As such, PRSI contributions are calculated as a percentage of reckonable earnings of employees — subject to various thresholds, allowances and ceilings. Both the employee and his or her employer pay a share of the contribution, and these are in turn paid into the Social Insurance Fund, which in turn provides part of the expenditure to fund social insurance schemes.

The table below provides data on the total number of contributors to the Social Insurance Fund together with a breakdown of this figure by PRSI Class type. The figures for 2005 represent the most recent out-turn of End-of-Year returns received by my Department from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners for both employees and self-employed contributors. The transfer of End-of-Year data is an ongoing process. The final figure for 2005 is likely to change as further returns are received.

I would like to point out that a provisional breakdown of the 2006 numbers will be published in my Department's Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services 2007 report next year. Provisional data for 2007 will be presented in the 2008 report due for completion in 2009.