John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

These amendments deal with jobseeker's allowance. Sinn Féin had an amendment on this matter as well. I am looking for clarity on jobseeker's allowance because this is a payment self-employed people might be able to access. There seems to be confusion on what self-employed people need to do. I have been informed by a number of people that they have put in applications for this payment and they have been told they need to prove their businesses have been closed down and that they need to prove their insurance has been stopped. That seems to contradict some of the other information we have received. Can we get clarity on whether self-employed people who might be out of work for a short period of time for the duration of this period can put in an application without fully shutting down their businesses?

On the online applications, can the Minister confirm that anyone who goes to register with myGov.ie, which is a requirement to make an online application, does not need a public services card? Up until now, it has been a requirement that one needs a public services card to do so.

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