Under the social welfare code, Social Welfare Benefits can be divided into three main categories:
- Contributory (social insurance) payments, which are made on the basis of a person’s Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) record;
- Non-contributory (social assistance) payments, which are made on the basis of the claimant satisfying a means test; and
- Universal Services such as Child Benefit and Free Travel, which do not depend on PRSI or means.
The following section refers in particular to (1) above and summarises the social welfare benefits that a teacher may be entitled to on the basis of her/his PRSI contribution record.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs publishes a number of booklets which give very detailed information on all aspects of Social Welfare services.
In addition, the Department of Social Welfare publishes an annual Rates of Payment Booklet (SW19) which details the current rates of payment in respect of each benefit. A comprehensive range of factsheets on individual benefits are also published by the Department of Social Welfare.
Copies of the Guide to Social Welfare Services and the other publications are available free of charge from local Social Welfare offices or from: Information Service, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1, www.welfare.ie
