Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to the entitlement of self-employed persons to apply for and qualify for jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46390/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Self-employed people can apply for the means-tested 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. Self-employed customers do not have to de-register as self-employed persons in order to claim jobseeker's allowance.

Legislation provides for the assessment of 'all income in cash and any non-cash benefits which the person or his or her spouse may reasonably expect to receive during the succeeding year'. While income from the previous twelve months is used as an indication in estimating likely future earnings, it is not simply assumed that the previous year's earnings will be received in the coming year. Instead, account is taken of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next.

It is recognised that the present downturn in the economy is having a significant impact on many self-employed persons and the consequent reduction in their income and activity levels would be reflected in any assessment of their means from self-employment for jobseeker's allowance purposes.

If a self-employed person's situation changes after they have made an initial claim for jobseeker's allowance, the person can apply to have his or her means reviewed in the light of these changed circumstances.