Lack of State benefits for ex-self-employed

Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden has welcomed comments from the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton regarding the need for social welfare benefits for self-employed people who find themselves out of work. "I have raised this issue previously and I welcome confirmation from Minister Burton that the Government is aware of the need for progress in this area. Self-employed people are currently left out on a limb if they find themselves out of work, as they are excluded from most benefit payments." "We're talking about small business owners and entrepreneurs; people who drive the Irish economy. It is unacceptable that there is a situation where the self-employed are left without adequate supports. Not only is the current scenario one of the greatest injustices in the Irish social welfare system, the lack of protection for the self-employed acts as a major disincentive to entrepreneurship as no safety net exists for those who wish to start their own business," Deputy McFadden said. "I was encouraged to hear the Minister say that she is looking at how the system could be adjusted to ensure that in the future self-employed people will be making contributions that would cover a period of unemployment. Minister Burton says she expects a working report by the end of March on the social insurance fund." "I have spoken to many people in Westmeath who have been left in an extremely difficult situation after their businesses went under and they received little or no support from the State. As a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education this is a matter that I have raised on numerous occasions and will continue to prioritise. I look forward to learning of the outcome of the working report in the coming months," Deputy McFadden said.