536 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position regarding benefits attributed to long-term payments to be attributed to people who have been receiving a short-term payment for over 12 months; and the amount this would cost. [8695/02]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the ancillary benefits which are targeted at people on long-term social welfare payments in general, and not those which are available only to certain categories of long-term clients, for example, pensioners. The ancillary benefits in question are fuel allowance, Christmas bonus and extended payment of child dependant allowance.

The national fuel scheme provides for the payment of fuel allowances, subject to a means test, to people on long-term social welfare or health board payments who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A standard allowance of €9 per week is currently paid to eligible households during the fuel season, which runs for 29 weeks from early October to late April. A smokeless fuel allowance of €3.90 per week is paid in smokeless zones. This latter allowance is also available to some people on short-term payments.

Christmas bonus payments are provided by my Department to people in receipt of certain long-term social welfare payments to alleviate hardship due to the additional demands on people's resources at Christmas time. The Christmas bonus has been paid at a rate equivalent to 70% of a person's normal weekly payment, subject to a minimum payment of €25.39 since 1989. In 2000, the bonus was increased to 100% or double the person's normal weekly payment, again subject to a minimum payment of €25.39, and was paid on a similar basis in 2001.

537 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the benefits derived by persons who pay self-employed PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8753/02]

Self-employed persons pay PRSI contributions at class S which gives cover for old age contributory pension, widow's or widower's contributory pension, maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, orphan's contributory allowance and bereavement grant.

The degree of cover available to class S contributors is reflected in the rate of contribution payable. Class S contributors pay social insurance contributions at a rate of either 3% or 5%, depending on earnings, whereas the combined employee and employer rate applicable to class A contributors varies as between 8.5%, 14.75% and 16.75%, depending on earnings.