Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which previously the self-employed continue to be eligible for social welfare payment and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26272/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Self-employed workers may establish eligibility 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 and, in the current climate, account is taken of the downward trend in the economy. As in the case of a non-self-employed unemployed claimant of jobseeker's allowance, the means of husband/wife, civil partner or co-habitant will be taken into account in deciding on entitlement to a payment.

Recipients of jobseeker's allowance can, subject to satisfying the requisite qualifying conditions, access a range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support social welfare recipients to reduce their dependency on welfare payments. Supports available include the back to education programmes and back to work schemes. In addition, a fully integrated range of services and supports is available to jobseekers and employers through Intreo, a new service from the Department of Social Protection.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if separate medical examinations in respect of various forms of health-related payments such as disability allowance, invalidity pension, disability benefit are really necessary in respect of the same applicant in view of the fact that the health condition qualifications remain the same and that dnly the expected duration can affect qualification for payment [26273/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are significant differences between the qualification criteria for illness benefit (formerly known as disability benefit), disability allowance and invalidity pension. These differences include both medical and non-medical criteria. Illness benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. A person may qualify if they are unable to work due to illness, satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) conditions, and are under age 66. Illness benefit claims are medically certified initially by the customer's own general practitioner. Departmental Medical Assessors are used to as part of subsequent review processes for ongoing illness benefit claims.

Invalidity pension is intended for customers with more severe and longer term incapacities/illnesses with less likelihood of returning to any form of work in the immediate future. To qualify medically for invalidity pension the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or be permanently incapable of work. When an application for invalidity pension is made, an assessment is carried out to establish medical suitability, based upon the medical and other evidence supplied in support of the claim by the applicant and his/her treating physician. In addition the non-medical criteria include a social insurance contributions requirement.

Disability allowance is a means-tested allowance paid to people with a disability who meet the medical and other qualification criteria which include a means test and a habitual residence condition. To qualify medically for disability allowance, the person must be suffering from a specified disability, illness or injury which is expected to last for at least 12 months and be substantially restricted in obtaining employment suitable to a person of the same age, experience and qualifications. When an application for disability allowance is made, an assessment is carried out to establish medical suitability, based upon the medical and other evidence supplied in support of the claim by the applicant and his/her treating physician.

Medical conditions can also change over time and evidence provided in support of a claim made previously for one scheme may not be appropriate at a later date in connection with an application for a different scheme. It is important therefore for the customer to provide the best and most up to date evidence for consideration by a Medical Assessor at the earliest possible stage during any claim application process. The Department continuously reviews its processes both within and across scheme and medical areas with a view to providing the best possible customer service and the best value for money for the taxpayer in relation to the administration of schemes.