Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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290. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline the social welfare supports that are available to those who are working with zero hour contracts; the supports these persons are entitled to in the event that they fall ill or need to go on maternity leave and are not entitled to either sick or maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16216/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A primary function of the social welfare system in relation to persons of working age is to support persons and their families where they have lost or are unable to attain employment, with supports also being available to working age persons facing other contingencies such as illness, disability and child birth. Consistent with this role the system also helps persons to attain and maintain a foothold in the labour market, subject to income tests and other criteria.

In general these supports are available to persons engaged under so called zero hours contracts in the same way as they are available, subject to individual scheme criteria, to other persons of working age.

Where an individual has insufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for illness benefit or maternity benefit, they may be eligible for the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system. The SWA scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

Basic weekly SWA may be payable to anyone in the State who satisfies a habitual residence condition and a means test, has registered for employment, unless they have a physical or mental disability, and can prove unemployment, or anyone who is awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment. The Government has provided some €109 million for the basic SWA scheme in 2014.