Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
724. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the benefits available to a person who becomes unemployed and who had been paying class S PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6731/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the jobseeker’s allowance and benefit schemes which provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. The 2019 Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s schemes of €1.95 billion.
Jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment which has always been available to all jobseekers including employees and those in self-employment. A person may qualify for jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. Where self-employed people satisfy the appropriate means test and any other specific qualifying conditions, they have eligibility in the same way as employees. If a self-employed person is engaged in farming they may qualify for the means-tested farm assist payment which is currently paid to approximately 6,600 farmers.
The new scheme for the self-employed, which I announced as part of the 2019 Budget measures, will extend a PRSI insurance based benefit similar to jobseeker's benefit to the self-employed who pay class S contributions and who lose employment. This measure which will be introduced later this year builds on other significant improvements for the self-employed in recent years such as access to invalidity pension and treatment benefits. This measure is part of the Government’s stated aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and the self-employed alike.
Applicants will have to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the new jobseeker’s benefit support including a PRSI contribution requirement. The specific details of this scheme are currently being examined as part of the legislative process.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
