Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not just my ambition to extend the same employment rights and social insurance rights to the self-employed as enjoyed by those who are employed. Senator Butler has been talking about this for years and work on this was started by the previous Minister. It will not all happen in this budget and I am sorry if I gave Senator Ardagh that impression. Last year, hearing, eye and dental benefits were extended to the self-employed while the invalidity pension will come online at the end of the next month for them. I hope over the next few years, as the economy recovers, to provide equal benefits for both PAYE workers and the self-employed. That will be based on the actuarial review of the Social Insurance Fund and how it is determined that will be funded and spent. I would, therefore, not get too excited about the upcoming budget.

I have not considered the income threshold for the fuel allowance. Changes to the allowance would be part of the overall budgetary considerations we are making and will make in the future and I have not considered it. I will, however, keep it in mind.

The Senator referred to the retirement age. First, there is no mandatory retirement age of 65 in law.