Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2015
23. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost implications in increasing the maximum income limit of subsidiary employment from €12.70 per day to €25 per day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24788/15]
View answerIn certain circumstances it is possible for a person to be engaged in insurable employment or self-employment and still satisfy the unemployment condition. One of these circumstances is where the person has what is defined as ‘subsidiary employment’. The provisions for subsidiary employment are set out in social welfare regulations. Subsidiary employments are employments that are considered secondary, for insurance purposes, to the principal employment.
To be considered as subsidiary employment under social welfare regulations the relevant employment should be in addition to the jobseeker’s usual employment. It must have been followed by them outside the ordinary working hours of their usual employment. The limit of eligible earnings or profit from the occupation cannot exceed €12.70 per day, or, where the level of eligible earnings or profit is in respect of a longer period, it does not on a daily average exceed €12.70 per day.
The Department does not keep statistics on the number of jobseekers with subsidiary employment. It is therefore not possible to gauge the cost implications for the State of increasing the current limit of eligible earnings for those engaging in subsidiary employment from €12.70 to €25.
