Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseeker's Benefit schemes, is available to address the position of people who are required to or who choose to retire at age 65 before pension age of 66.

A Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) claim may be disallowed on the grounds that a claimant is engaged in self-employment by virtue of unearned rental income on which Class S PRSI self-employment contributions have been paid.

However, a person who has ceased their usual self-employment but who continues to be a self-employed contributor by virtue of their rental income only may receive Benefit Payment for 65 Year Old's if the person is considered to be engaged in subsidiary employment. Among the conditions for employment to be considered as subsidiary is that the income does not exceed approximately €7,500 per annum.

I have no plans to amend this position. Any person aged 65 who does not qualify for the benefit payment may apply for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance.

I trust that this clarifies the position.