Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. We in Fianna Fáil fully support this Bill, which is very progressive legislation. The Minister is fortunate to be the Minister for Social Protection at a time when our economy is very strong, we are doing very well, and we have the resources to see increases pretty much yearly in our social protection spend.

Obviously, I am a solicitor. I am a sole trader. I am self-employed as well as being a Senator. I am also elected from the industrial and commercial panel, so it would be remiss of me not to mention the self-employed who make up 14% of our population. As the Minister said, however, this is just the start of it. We are not going to be holding things back. It is very good. I would not say it is not perfect. That is too derogatory of a phrase. It is a fantastic Bill with which so many people will be delighted. Obviously, I would like to see it stretched out to the self-employed. I always think it is funny and very easy that there is always a reason the Government cannot give the self-employed the extra bonuses but there is no reason we do not have to pay as many taxes. We see the PRSI provisions. The self-employed are included in the increases but we are not included in the goodies. It is something to look at. The figure of 14% is a huge number of people in the country who are contributing, and they are also employers. Probably more than 50% of people are employed by self-employed people such as plumbers, solicitors and varies professions. I would like to see, therefore, hopefully in the next budget, that the Minister will be able to roll out something for pay-related benefit for self-employed people.

The Minister mentioned that she would love to see it extended to those on maternity leave, which is fantastic. I am delighted to hear her say that. I put forward a Bill in this House that staggers the Minister's Department and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's Department. It is an idea like the Leave Our Leave Bill. The Minister for Social Protection's Department deals with the maternity payments and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth's Department deals with those who should get it. However, is there something in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024? There are 60 women in Ireland who have to undergo cancer treatment while they are getting their maternity benefit. My Bill lets them defer that maternity benefit while they are getting their treatment. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, promised to bring legislation to the House, but we have not seen any legislation. It might be something the Minister for Social Protection's Department could look at in terms of bringing it in. There are 60 women in Ireland every year who are affected. There is an urgency about it. It would be great if the Minister could get back to me on those points. We fully support the Bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I am delighted to support it.