Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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488. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 385 of 14 February 2023, if she will calculate the rate of payment due to a person (details supplied) should the calculation be on the basis of contributions from 1989 rather than the basis of the year they commenced making contributions as an employee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8821/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under social welfare legislation, the date of entry into insurance is the date a person becomes an insured person and enters employment for which a social insurance contribution is payable, once they are 16 years of age. This contribution can be paid at the full, modified or self-employed social insurance rate.

PRSI for self-employed was introduced from 6 April 1988. Under social welfare legislation, if an applicant became a self-employed contributor on 6 April 1988, and at any time prior to that date was an employed contributor, the date on which the applicant first entered insurance or the 6 April 1988, whichever is the more favourable to them, shall be regarded as the date of entry into insurance.

Where a self employed contributor did not become a self-employed contributor on 6 April 1988, their date of entry into insurance is the date on which they first paid any social insurance. The person concerned became a self-employed contributor in 1989, therefore the date of entry is taken as the first date they entered insurable employment which in this case is 1980.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.