Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I thank the Minister for her response. While it may be true that class S contributors receive more than ordinary employees, that is after they reach the age of 66 and retire. There are a large number of self-employed people who, through no fault of their own in this recession, have ended up without work and dependent on social welfare and have been unable to avail of jobseeker's benefit. I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to increasing the class S contribution rate to ensure there is a safety net. This would be a labour activation measure as well as a way of encouraging people to set up their own businesses. They can do so in the knowledge that there is a type of safety net they can avail of after an appropriate qualification period.

See this speech in context