Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to clarify the figure taken as means from self-employment accounts when accounts are submitted in respect of the spouse of applicants under the jobseeker's allowance scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44762/15]

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

In self-employment cases, income is taken to be the gross profit less allowable work-related expenses over 12 months. The net profit is taken as means.

Business-related allowable expenses may include depreciation of machinery or equipment where appropriate to the nature of the self-employment.

Any drawings taken from the business are not an allowable expense. However, where a person has taken drawings from the business which is greater than the level of income thus calculated, the drawings are assessed as cash income.