Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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1441. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to confirm if it is possible for self-employed workers to increase their PRSI contributions to allow them to avail of social welfare entitlements, such as illness benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Self-employed people pay contributions to the Social Insurance Fund at a lower rate of 4.1%. This is 11.15 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.25% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors.

The Programme for Government 2025 includes an action to explore the option of giving self-employed workers access to illness benefit by means of making a higher PRSI contribution. My Department has commenced work in this regard.

Any changes to the PRSI rate for self-employed contributors and an expansion of their benefits would have to be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of the economic circumstances and with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.