Pat Breen
Ceist:145 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of unemployment assistance recipients who are categorised as self-employed; and the average assistance paid each week. [23387/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 October 2004
Ceisteanna (44)
Freagraí scríofa
Persons who are engaged in self-employment may qualify for a reduced rate of unemployment assistance payments if their net income is below the relevant threshold. At 24 September 2004 there were 1,727 such persons in receipt of unemployment assistance.
Where income from self-employment is assessed as means for unemployment assistance, the weekly payment is reduced on a euro for euro basis by the weekly means assessable. People categorised as self-employed for unemployment assistance purposes do not have to declare individual days worked but must report changes in income levels.
The weekly amount assessable is based on the person's net income in the previous 12 months. The average weekly payment to these persons is €137.85.
In general, the people involved are sole traders. People so categorised are not counted as unemployed on the live register series. They do, however, have access to the range of secondary and supplementary benefits if they are long-term recipients of unemployment assistance.