Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on progress made in relation to the reform of the social insurance scheme for the self-employed; when she expects this work to be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28027/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare in June 2011 to address a number of specific issues regarding the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be addressed and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.

The Group has been asked to examine a number of issues and to identify specific practical institutional and administrative improvements. One of the issues I have asked them to examine and report on is the question of providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable.

The Group is currently prioritising child income support payments and will, thereafter, examine other issues, including the feasibility of provision of social insurance cover for the self-employed.

The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget/estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support.