Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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450. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 12 July 2016, if he will outline the position with regard to the person indicated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22575/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The self-employed can access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit. They cannot, however, currently establish entitlement to certain social insurance benefits, such as those relating to long term illnesses.

Self-employed or former self-employed workers who become ill, including the individual referred to by the Deputy, may access means tested supports by establishing eligibility to assistance-based payments such as disability allowance. I understand that the individual concerned is currently in received of a disability allowance payment of €188 per week plus a €9 per week living alone allowance. The individual also has entitlement to the fuel allowance.

As I indicated in my reply to the previous question, I intend to extend, over a period of time, the range of benefits which the self–employed can access through the social insurance system, with particular reference to providing access to benefits for long-term illness/incapacity and treatment benefits.