Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 12

Employed contributors and insured persons

Section 12 defines who qualifies as an employed contributor for social insurance purposes and explains how regulations can modify the categories of employment covered.

• Employees aged 16 to pensionable age in specified employments become employed contributors and are insured for life from their first contribution.
• Those born from 1 January 1958 who have reached pensionable age but are under 70 and not yet receiving the State pension (contributory) also qualify as employed contributors.
• Anyone in insurable employment for occupational injuries purposes is an employed contributor regardless of age.
• Regulations may include or exclude specific employments from the social insurance scheme.