Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Enright is correct in stating that there are many self-employed persons who did not understand that they were not covered, for example, for jobseeker's benefit, until the employment dried up. There were many in the construction industry who never thought the work would cease, particularly those with trades, and suddenly they find themselves in a situation where they are not entitled to jobseeker's benefit. Many of them who have partners or spouses also find themselves in a situation where they are not entitled to jobseeker's allowance. That is something Deputy Enright and I have encountered. They are not covered. They have not paid the contribution to be covered for unemployment benefit, it is a clear statutory position. On the other hand, there is a pool of talent that could do considerable work in providing services to the community.

There is a model in terms of farmers. For farmers who have low incomes and self-employment, there is farm assist, but there is also the rural social scheme where they work in the community and provide services in return for which they get a fixed payment. None of these functions has transferred to my Department and therefore the situation of setting up schemes is something for the future. The Deputy has identified a challenge and we must see how to deal with that challenge. There is no question of giving them rights to jobseeker's benefit because, quite simply, they have paid 3% on the self-employed contribution and this does not entitle them to short-term benefits.

See this speech in context