Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13477/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A self-employed person, who previously paid Class A contributions, may still have access to short-term social insurance schemes for a limited period of time, where they have the required number of paid Class A contributions in the relevant tax year. The relevant tax year is the second last complete contribution (tax) year prior to the date on which a claim for benefit is made. Thereafter a self-employed worker has access to social assistance-based payments, such as jobseeker's allowance, subject to a means test, if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services or should their business cease. Contributions previously paid at Class A together with PRSI paid as a self-employed contributor will both be reckonable to establish entitlement to the Contributory State Pension upon retirement.