Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As an observation, would it be considered a first step that instead of bringing in absolutely the same terms as would apply for someone who is an employee in the strictest sense, we would bring in an initial measure so someone who is self employed would qualify for, say, three months? I come from this background myself and I see this in my constituency all the time. The biggest issue that arises for people in the SME sector is that they try everything in their power to stay in business, and social welfare is normally a very last measure. In many cases, the human dimension kicks in, or the wife says, "We just cannot keep going". The individuals then apply for jobseeker's allowance because they cannot get benefit and, invariably, they then end up going to the community welfare officer for supplementary welfare allowance. I am not suggesting nobody qualifies but many do not, and they need something. However, in many cases, they will go back to being self-employed in another area. Do the witnesses consider there might be a way of bringing in such a system on a transitional basis, so that instead of the period being six or nine months, it would be three months? Is there merit in putting forward that case? I believe it needs to come in and I would like to hear the views of the witnesses thoughts in that regard.