Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak on the Bill. I should declare that I was self-employed from 6 September 1974, 41 years ago, until the point at which I was fortunate enough that the people of Sligo-Leitrim elected me to this House. We do not really appreciate the amount of employment created by self-employed people or the amount of work they do.

According to the CSO, there are more than 250,000 small and medium-sized businesses in this country. They account for more than 99% of all business enterprises.

I recently attended a Brexit meeting at a company in Manorhamilton that employs approximately 80 people. We had quite a good discussion with the speakers who were present on the day. It was mentioned that just 11% of small businesses employing less than ten people have made any contact with any Department regarding supports to help them through Brexit. We can blame the Government for everything, but we cannot blame it for this. We need to transmit a better message about the opportunities that exist. Everybody is standing back and hoping there will be a deal. I genuinely hope, for the sake of everybody in this country, that there will be a deal. When we reflect on the number of people employed by these companies across the country, we must hope they will not need to the supports in question. I hope we will have a deal before too long.

It is important to recognise the contribution made by small employers who employ seven, eight or nine people in shops and other businesses in small towns throughout rural Ireland. If these people had not taken a chance by setting up business, many of the local people they employ would be in England, the US or elsewhere and not in this country today. It is about time we recognised the work that is done by self-employed people who are out there taking risks. They borrow money from banks to buy or set up businesses and create jobs. Sadly and unfortunately, things can go wrong. I was close to the edge many times. There is nothing for people in such circumstances. This Bill will help to support them. It is important that such supports be available. I hope that as a result of this Bill, people will be more inclined to start a business because they know they will be looked after if something goes wrong. They have not been looked after up to now. Nothing whatsoever was in place for them.

I am delighted for the people who need help and support that the Bill is before the House. I understand that dental and optical benefits will be extended to self-employed people with PRSI contributions. All of those people will be eligible for an invalidity pension if they sadly get injured or sick. This option will give them a full contributory pension if needed. I welcome the Bill. I am delighted that my party will support it all the way. It is a welcome benefit for many thousands of small business people. It is important that they will know their backs are covered if anything goes badly wrong.

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