New supports for self-employed in Budget – Butler

The self-employed are set to become eligible for Jobseeker’s Benefit in 2019, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Ray Butler said this is a further extension of social welfare benefits to the self-employed based on their Class S PRSI contributions.

Senator Butler said: “This is a very welcome development and will particularly provide greater security to many of those small business operators who work hard to create jobs and generate revenue in their local economy.

“The introduction of this new benefit for the self-employed creates greater fairness in the current system of welfare provision and reflects the Government’s commitment to creating the best possible environment for business to thrive.

“In an additional support for the 150,000 self-employed workers who make up an important part of our economy, the Earned Income Credit will be increased by a further €200 to €1,350.

“This Government has sought to encourage enterprise and, particularly, has sought to introduce a new deal for the self-employed when it comes to their access to benefits.

“We have already extended Treatment Benefits and Invalidity Pension to the self-employed in recent years to ensure that they reach some parity with employees in the benefits they can access from the social insurance system.

“The extension of Jobseeker’s Benefit to self-employed people for the first time represents the next step in the Government’s work to extend full PRSI benefits and provide an income safety net to employees and the self-employed alike.

“My Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty, said it is expected that some 6,500 people will become eligible in the first full year of operation. The Department will introduce this scheme in late 2019.”

ENDS