Written answers

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1587. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for changes to the social welfare system which would allow self employed persons to apply for an invalidity or disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54796/17]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Self-employed workers are eligible to apply 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. Self-employed workers who do not satisfy the medical or social insurance conditionality for invalidity pension may apply for the means tested disability allowance.

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 have also been 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.

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