Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if PRSI contributions will be paid to those persons in receipt of the new interim payment in which they retire at the age of 65 years and are in receipt of the interim payment until they are eligible for the State pension at 66 years. [12318/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The new Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds has been introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are 65 who are required to or who choose to retire at age 65 but who do not qualify for the State Pension until they reach age 66. Recipients of the new payment are not required to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work.

While in receipt of the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, a person may continue to get credited contributions on their social insurance record if they had an entitlement to them at the start of the claim. Credited contributions are usually awarded at the same rate as the person's last paid social insurance contribution. For example, if a person paid social insurance at Class A in their last employment and is eligible for credits, they will protect the person's entitlement to Class A social insurance benefits. Credited contributions act to protect a person's entitlement to social insurance benefits and pensions in the future. Credits are not provided in respect of employments where the social insurance classes J or S apply.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.