Willie Penrose
Ceist:95. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his future plans to support self-employed persons access jobseeker's benefit. [36035/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 November 2016
Ceisteanna (95)
Freagraí scríofa
Self-employed persons, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory) and Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (contributory), Guardian’s Payment (contributory), Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit and Paternity Benefit.
Class A employees, who have access to the full range of benefits, pay PRSI at the rate of 4% on their income. In addition their employers pay PRSI at 10.75%, which brings the rate of PRSI paid in respect of Class A employees to 14.75% (12.5% for weekly earnings of €376 or less).
Currently self-employed workers can access the means tested jobseeker’s allowance payment, in respect of periods when they cannot work or because of a downturn in their business.
Core to the Programme for Government focusing on improving the position of the self-employed is the commitment to introduce an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed.
In Budget 2017, I announced the extension of cover for Invalidity Pension to the self-employed on the same basis as employees, with effect from December 2017.
In addition the self-employed will have access to the treatment benefit scheme from March 2017. Treatment benefit entitlements will be extended further from October 2017 providing additional benefits.
In 2017, my Department will carry out detailed work to establish how to provide a better safety net for self-employed workers whose business fails. The outcome will be considered in a Budgetary context.