Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Persons who are on career breaks, such as teachers, are able to maintain their social insurance record in a number of ways. Depending on their terms and conditions of their career break, such persons may engage in other employments which could be liable for PRSI contributions.

Furthermore, persons on career breaks who are engaged in home caring may qualify for pension caring supports including the Homecaring support and Homemakers scheme as long as they are registered as providing full time care to a child under twelve and/or to an incapacitated person. This period can be included in the person’s social insurance record in order to maintain their pension entitlement.

If such persons do not fall into the above categories, the voluntary contribution scheme may be available to them, depending on meeting the qualifying criteria. This scheme gives an opportunity to persons who were, but are no longer are, compulsorily insured under the social insurance system, to pay contributions directly to my Department. Voluntary contributions ensure continuity of social insurance for pension purposes during periods where former contributors are no longer insured as employed or self-employed persons, or are not in receipt of credited employment contributions.

The scheme’s main entry criteria require applicants to apply within 5 years of the end of the contribution year in which they last paid contributions or had credits on their record, and to have at least 520 social insurance contributions paid from either employment or self-employment.

Eligibility for maternity leave while on career break is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.