Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

479. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding self-employed persons becoming eligible for claim invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48050/17]

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

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. The relevant section of this Act will be commenced shortly, thereby allowing self-employed workers to be eligible for invalidity pension from December 2017.

Details as to how to apply will be made public by my Department in the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.