Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the legislation which states that married women cannot sign for credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17185/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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PRSI credited contributions (“credits”) are an integral part of the social insurance system. For the most part they are linked to having an underlying entitlement to a social welfare payment while temporarily detached from the labour force or having entitlement to statutory leave e.g. parental or maternity leave. The primary purpose of PRSI credits is to secure social welfare benefits and pensions of employees by covering gaps in insurance where they are not in a position to pay PRSI such as during periods of unemployment, illness, etc.

There is no current legislation which prohibits married women for signing for credits. If there is a particular case which relates to the Deputy’s question, he could provide details to my Department who will investigate the issue.