Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is the case that a person working as a self-employed contractor, particularly in the construction sector, and operating under the relevant contracts tax system could be working part-time as a subcontractor and also claiming jobseeker’s benefit from her Department for the days during which the person involved is not working. [31808/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Self-employed persons pay a Class S contribution which does not qualify them for jobseeker’s benefit. A self-employed person may be entitled to jobseeker’s allowance provided s/he satisfies the normal qualifying conditions including availability for full-time work and the appropriate means test.

In order to assess the means for a self-employed person, account is taken of the level of earnings in the last twelve months and of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next.

All jobseeker’s claims are subject to review. If a self-employed person's situation changes after they have made an initial claim for jobseeker's allowance, they can apply to have their means reviewed in the light of their changed circumstances.