Vol. 431 No. 2
81 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, under present rules, a self-employed person whose business temporarily declines is assessed with the full value of his previous year's earnings when he applies for unemployment assistance and as a result, his family suffers hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Where an applicant for unemployment assistance is involved in self-employment the procedure is to use the income from the preceding year as a starting point and to update this in the light of current and any expected changes in the year ahead. Each assessment involving self-employment is thus fully consistent with the expected out-turn at the date it is carried out. If there are unexpected developments which would render the assessment inaccurate then it can be reviewed and these exceptional factors taken into account. It is open to any claimant to seek a review of his or her means if he/she feels that the initial assessment does not reflect the current circumstances.
If a claimant is still dissatisfied with the results of such a review he/she can avail of the right to appeal to the independent Chief Appeals Officer.
Methods of assessment are kept under review by my Department. I am satisfied that the assessment procedure is operating satisfactorily in cases involving means from self-employment and that it has the flexibility to respond to the changing circumstances of claimants.
