Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Department of Social Protection

Departmental Surveys

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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580. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the details of the survey he has issued to a number of self-employed persons in relation to extending social welfare entitlements to the self-employed; the number of recipients of this survey; the way in which the participants were chosen to participate; the reason for sending this survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/17]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In August 2016, the Department of Social Protection conducted a survey of 20,022 people – largely self-employed workers including farmers, as well as certain company directors – who relied on Class S Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions to qualify for social insurance benefits in the tax year 2014.

The survey was undertaken to understand how the PRSI system is working for self-employed people, in order to inform consideration of possible changes to the system, in line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to "seek to introduce a PRSI scheme for the self-employed and provide a supportive tax regime for entrepreneurs and the self-employed".

The Statistics and Business Intelligence Unit of this Department conducted the survey in accordance with the principles of the Irish Statistical System Code of Practice. First, a stratified random sample of 20,022 people was generated from the population of people who paid PRSI contributions under Class S (and no other class) in 2014. These people were then surveyed via a postal questionnaire to elicit their views on the social insurance system as it applies to them, their satisfaction with its range of coverage, and their suggestions on how the range of benefits might be extended.

An analysis of the responses has been completed and is being reviewed prior to publication.

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