Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports available for self-employed persons who have temporarily stopped working due to illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34656/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Self-employed persons, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to long-term benefits including State pension (contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (contributory), Guardian’s Payment (contributory) as well as Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit. Since September 2016, self-employed workers can also access the newly introduced Paternity Benefit.

Self-employed workers who have to temporarily stop working because of illness can apply for the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This is a means tested payment for people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs including the needs of a spouse/partner or qualified children.

In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government for an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed, as part of Budget 2017 I announced the extension of cover for Invalidity Pension to the self-employed on the same basis as employees, with effect from December 2017. Invalidity Pension is a pension payment for people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability. Gaining access to Invalidity Pension will provide the self-employed with a much stronger safety net to protect them in the event of significant injury or disablement.

In addition, the self-employed will have access to the Treatment Benefit Scheme which provides partial dental, optical and aural services to qualified people, from March 2017. Treatment Benefit entitlements will be extended further from October 2017 for both the self-employed and employees, providing additional dental and optical benefits.

I hope this provides some clarity on the issue for the Deputy, if you require any further information contact Philip in my office.