Written answers
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the entitlement to invalidity pension for the self employed will become operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44966/17]
Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Self-employed workers will be eligible to apply for invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as self-employed people could have access to income support without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability.
Legislation for this measure has already been enacted through the Social Welfare Act, 2016. Commencement of the relevant section of this act is intended to take place in the near future, thereby allowing self-employed workers to be eligible for invalidity pension from December 2017. Details for self-employed persons including the person concerned of how to apply will be made public by my Department before then.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
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