John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider allowing PRSI class D contributions to be reckonable for invalidity pension purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4027/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Civil and public sector employees recruited prior to 6 April 1995 pay social insurance contributions at modified rates under classes B, C and D. Amongst the class B contributors are permanent and pensionable civil servants and Gardaí; the class C contributors are commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service; and the class D contributors include permanent and pensionable employees in the public service other than those insured at classes B and C. Civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay social insurance at the standard class A rate.

Prior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and retirement, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment.

Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, class D contributors currently pay a contribution at the rate of 1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.1% on weekly earnings over that amount and their employers pay a contribution of 2.45% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, guardian's payment (contributory), occupational injuries benefits, parent's benefit and carer's benefit.

In contrast, civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay a class A social insurance contribution of 4.1% on their weekly earnings and their employers pay a contribution of 8.9% where employees’ weekly earnings are €527 or less and 11.15% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €527. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits, including invalidity pension.

I am satisfied with the current rules that apply across the PRSI classes and I have no plans to change them.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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400. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider the extension of the treatment benefit scheme care from community audiologists to include HSE medical card holders. [4037/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. Under the Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Health, optical services are provided to medical card holders aged over 16 years by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists and dispensing opticians. My Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people.

Treatment benefit is an insurance-based scheme which provides benefits to eligible contributors towards the provision of treatment and appliances. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable. Social insurance contributions made under Pay-Related Social Insurance classes A, E, H, P and S count towards eligibility for the scheme. Benefits under treatment benefit are only available to adults and cannot be claimed for dependent children.

It is important to note that some HSE medical card holders qualify for treatment benefit based on their PRSI contribution record.

I am not considering changing the qualifying criteria for the treatment benefit scheme at this time. However, my Department's schemes and supports are kept under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.