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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

41 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether self-employed people without assets in receipt of unemployment assistance are assessed on the basis of a reduction of £1 in unemployment assistance for every £1 they earn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10586/95]

People engaged in self-employment may claim unemployment assistance provided they satisfy the means test. Any income from self-employment is assessable for means for this purpose and any unemployment assistance is reduced on a £1 for £1 basis by reference to the means.

The method of assessment involves a calculation of the person's income for the year ahead. In the absence of any other way of determining the means, the previous year's income, updated for any expected changes, is used as the basis of assessment. The actual income assessed as means is gross income less all work-related expenses. In the case of a landholder, for example, the means from the farm are taken as the gross income, less expenses incurred in the running of the farm. In all such assessments my Department depends on evidence of income supplied by the claimant.

People in receipt of unemployment assistance for over 12 months can apply for the back-to-work-allowance. Provided they satisfy the conditions of that scheme they can retain 75 per cent of their weekly payment for 12 months and 50 per cent for the next 12 months, in addition to any earnings they may have, as an encouragement to them to develop viable opportunities for themselves. I will be keeping the system of supports for people to develop employment or self-employment opportunities under review with a view to seeing what further developments may be warranted in the future.
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