Social welfare class S entitlements
Senator Craughwell pressed for clarity on Social Welfare Bill changes affecting class S, class K, councillors, refunds, and pension entitlements for older members. The chair repeatedly restored order as other Senators interjected.
The Leader is aware that we met the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, yesterday about the Social Welfare Bill. One of the issues which arose was the application of class S and a change of entitlements, especially for members of local authorities. We communicated this to those members yesterday and we have been inundated with queries this morning. For example, those who have been paying PRSI under class K are concerned about whether or not there would be retrospective application of entitlements-----
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Is the Senator explaining on behalf of the Minister?
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If Senator Coghlan does not mind-----
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They are also concerned about those members who are over the age of 66 and if those members will have a refund of contributions. There is also the question of those who are over 66 and if they will now qualify for full-----
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The Minister could have an amendment.
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-----contributory old age pension. Will they be entitled to that with effect from 2017 or a pro rata old age pension depending on the contributions they have made? Members of local authorities have never been advised formally of their entitlement to make contributions over their lifetime with their local authorities for class A. In some county councils members have not been made aware of the entitlement to make a voluntary contribution and in that case will they be entitled to make retrospective voluntary contributions in the periods prior to the class K? While we have done a lot there is much yet to be done and there are many questions that need to be answered. Perhaps the Leader could put those questions to the Minister and make a statement in due course to the House.