Social Welfare Eligibility

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Ceisteanna (415)

Eoghan Kenny

Ceist:

415. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 721 of 18 November 2025, if public office holders where their income is solely derived from their role as a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas and they cease to be a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the way in which they are expected to be eligible for illness-related or unemployment-related benefit if they have been paying a class K contributions for a period in excess of 12-months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67216/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

As outlined in my reply to parliamentary question number 721 of 18 November 2025, public office holders, including members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, are liable for the PRSI class K rate of 4.2% on their income earned in that capacity. This PRSI class K charge was brought in Budget 2011 as a solidarity measure to contribute to social insurance at a time when extensive curtailment of social insurance entitlements to private sector employees was introduced.

It was never intended that such contributions under PRSI class K would give rise to a right to any benefits available under the Social Insurance Fund as public office holders' terms of employment already protected them against contingencies such as illness, breaks in employment and old age.

Current or former members of the Houses of the Oireachtas seeking information on their entitlement to benefits arising from such contingencies as unemployment, illness or retirement should contact the One Stop Shop Member Services team in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.