Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

655. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available to a person who has paid class D contributions rather than class A contributions for the entirety of their career, and now has limited access to supports such as illness benefit/illness pension, in view of the fact that they have been medically signed off as unfit to return to their job in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54669/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment. In 1994, the Government decided that civil and public servants appointed on or after 6 April 1995 should be subject to the full (class A) rate of PRSI contribution.

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.

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 1.1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.2% on weekly earnings over that amount; their employers pay a contribution of 2.55% 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 higher social insurance contribution of 4.2% under PRSI class A on their weekly earnings; their employers pay a contribution of 9% where employees’ weekly earnings are €527 or less, and 11.25% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €527. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits.

My Department does not have the details of the work history of the person referred to in the Deputy's question as having been medically signed off as unfit to return to their job in the health service and, therefore cannot comment on their entitlements arising from that situation. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Pubic Service Reform and Digitilisation is responsible for policy matters relating to public sector pensions and the employment rights of public servants.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.