S.I. No. 298/2007 - Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (Modified Social Insurance) Regulations 2007

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 4 and 14 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26 of 2005), hereby makes the following Regulations:

1.(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (Modified Social Insurance) Regulations 2007.

(2)  These Regulations shall be construed as one with the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) Regulations 1996 to 2006 and shall be included in the collective citation “the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) Regulations 1996 to 2007”.

2.  The Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) Regulations 1996 ( S.I. No. 312 of 1996 ) are amended -

(a)  in article 83, by inserting the following after sub-article (1A) (inserted by article 2 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (No. 4) (Modified Social Insurance) Regulations 2001 ( S.I. No. 231 of 2001 )):

“(1B)  (a) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraph (b), for the purposes of paragraph (c) of section 14(1), the first mentioned employment is Eircell 2000 Plc and the second mentioned employment is Vodafone Group Services Ireland Ltd.

(b)  Paragraph (a) applies in the case of persons who, on the 5th day of April, 1995 were employed by eircom plc and who are now employed by Vodafone Group Services Ireland Ltd and continue to be so employed.”, and

(b)  in article 83(2) (as amended by article 2 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (No.4) (Modified Social Insurance) Regulations 2001 ( S.I. No. 231 of 2001 )) by substituting “specified in sub-articles (1), (1A) and (1B)” for “specified in sub-articles (1) and (1A)”.

The Minister for Finance hereby consents to the making of the foregoing Regulations.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

People employed in a permanent and pensionable capacity in the civil service, local and public authorities and other public bodies are liable for a modified rate of social insurance (PRSI) contribution. Modified rates of insurance provide cover for a limited range of benefits i.e. Widow(er)'s Pension, Guardian's Payment (Contributory), Carer's Benefit and Bereavement Grant.

In 1996, the modified rate of social insurance was extended to employees of Bord Telecom Eireann (now eircom plc) which, following the formation of a strategic alliance was no longer regarded as a public authority under the Social Welfare code.

These Regulations provide for the continuation of a modified rate of social insurance for persons who, on the 5th April 1995 were employed by eircom plc and who, immediately on ceasing to be employed by eircom plc become employed by Eircell 2000 Plc and subsequently by Vodafone Group Services Ireland Ltd. under terms and conditions which provide that such persons continue to be employed in a permanent and pensionable capacity and for payment during illness on a basis considered adequate by the Minister.