Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2019
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlements available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16884/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an application for Farm Assist payment on 28/01/2019. This claim is currently being finalised by a Social Welfare Inspector and a decision will issue in writing to the person concerned in the next few days.
With regard to the person concerned being off sick he may make an application for Illness Benefit or Disability Allowance and his entitlement will be examined at time of application.
At present there are no plans to reform Social Protection for self-employed people in situations like this. However, as the Minister announced in Budget 2019 it is intended to extend access to Jobseeker’s Benefit to self-employed people. With this change, the self-employed will become eligible for Jobseeker’s Benefit. It is expected that some 6,500 people will become eligible in the first full year of operation. The Department will introduce this scheme in late 2019.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
