Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the social welfare entitlement system for self-employed persons who go out of business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20128/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Self-employed workers may establish entitlement to assistance-based payments such as Jobseeker's Allowance. They can apply for the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. In general their means will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year. In the current climate account is taken of the downward trend in the economy. There are no plans to reform the social welfare entitlement system for self-employed persons who go out of business. Any such measure would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered within a budgetary context.