Vol. 558 No. 5
114 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to extend disability and other cover to the self-employed; and the position in this regard in other member states of the European Union. [24752/02]
The issue as to whether self-employed people should have access to insurance cover for disability and other similar payments is complex and would require detailed consideration of all the financial and administrative implications.
An extension of such benefits to self-employed contributors would have significant financial implications. In particular, the rate of PRSI payable by the self-employed would require to be reviewed if additional social welfare entitlements are to be extended.
Work in identifying options for broadening the range of social insurance cover available to self-employed contributors has been undertaken by my Department. A number of other EU member states provide such cover on a full and partial basis. I am not in a position, however, to say whether it might be possible to extend such coverage to this group.
