According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has not had any PRSI contributions which are reckonable for disability benefit or unemployment benefit since 1984-85. Accordingly, he is not qualified for these benefits. He is not entitled to invalidity pension for essentially the same reasons and he was notified of this in July 1993.
He paid Self-Employment PRSI contributions for the year 1988-89 but has not paid contributions since that time. In any event, self-employment contributions do not confer entitlement to short term benefits or to invalidity pension. There are no other insurance based benefits that he could be entitled to at present.
If he is capable of work he may be entitled to unemployment assistance if his income from self-employment is below the statutory level for a person in his circumstances.
The wife of the person concerned is however, currently receiving supplementary welfare allowance amounting to £129.50 per week from her local health board which includes an allowance in respect of him. I understand also that the health board is examining his possible entitlement to disabled persons maintenance allowance.