Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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15. To ask the Minister for Social Protection why a self-employed person (details supplied) in County Sligo who has worked and paid Pay Related Social Insurance contributions all the person's life was advised by officials in Sligo Intreo office that weekly outgoing and expenses, including a burdensome mortgage, will not be taken into account when applying for the supplementary welfare allowance, which was subsequently refused; if this is standard practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5390/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Self-employed persons are liable for pay related social insurance (PRSI) which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as the state pension (contributory) and widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory). However, they are not entitled to jobseeker’s benefit based on any contributions paid as a self-employed person.

The person in question was refused jobseekers allowance as his income from a private pension exceeded the limit for that scheme. An appeal has been received and has been forwarded to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office who will contact him directly when a decision has been made.

The person is also not entitled to supplementary welfare allowance as his means from a private pension exceed the limit for that scheme.