Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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2021. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe for the self-employed to be able to make claims for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27388/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Self-employed workers will be eligible for invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as, for the first time, self-employed people will have access to the safety-net of State income supports, without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability.

Furthermore, since March 2017, self-employed people have access to the treatment benefit scheme which includes free eye and dental exams, and contributions towards the cost of hearings aids. It is estimated that some 450,000 self-employed contributors including their dependant spouses will be eligible for treatment benefit for the first time as a result of this change.

Treatment benefit entitlements will also be extended from October 2017 to provide further dental and optical benefits for both the self-employed and employees. Over 3 million insured customers, including their adult dependants, will benefit from these additional benefits.