Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

178. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend entitlement to invalidity pension to persons who have paid S-class contributions in the relevant year for assessment of entitlement; when these changes will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5121/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Invalidity pension is a pension payment for insured people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability. In Budget 2017, I announced the extension of cover for invalidity pension to the self-employed on a similar basis as employees. This is in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government for an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed.

For the first time, the self-employed will have access to the safety net of State income supports if they have a serious illness or injury that prevents them from working, without having to go through a means test. This is a real advance in the level of cover available to the self-employed. Given that this is a major change in the social protection system, significant adjustments to operational systems and processes will be required to support this measure.

Therefore, the measure will come into effect in December 2017.

I trust that this provides clarity on the issue for the Deputy.