As a self-employed couple we can’t get too excited
KAREN and D a mi a n O’Connell have six children, aged between seven months and 14 years.
Both are self- employed and Karen works from home.
Damian, 38, runs his own construction firm, and Karen, 35, works operates a health and wellness business. She is also part of the Mummy pages. ie parenting community website.
Their monthly expenditure is approximately €2,000 but that does not include any monthly allowance for annual payments such as business insurance, back-to- school costs, Christmas, depreciation or holidays.
Their children are Mark, 14, Katie, ten, six-year- old Emma, five-yearold Amy, four-year- old Dylan and seven-month- old Erin. The family live in Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow.
In the run-up to the Budget, Karen said: ‘ I feel strongly that there should be more help f or selfemployed people especially being in construction and the effects of recession. PRSI is paid, albeit not at the same rate as PAYE but there is absolutely nothing available for selfemployed people. A cut in PRSI would be welcome.
‘As regards a sugar tax I think anything that benefits the health system for illnesses that are non-preventable is a step in the right direction. I think extra charges should apply for those who present at A&E, etc, under the influence of drink and drugs, for example, instead of cutting funding for those in genuine need – especially children, the elderly and those with terminal illnesses.’
Following yesterday’s announcement, she said: ‘My main interest in the Budget is how it affects selfemployed people like myself and my husband. Michael Noonan has announced for the first time a tax credit of €550 for the self-employed who don’t get a PAYE credit. To be honest, I can’t get very excited about that.
‘It’s a very small step, so small, it will have hardly any impact.
‘Speaking as a couple who have just come through a horrific recession, not knowing how much money we will have week to week, self-employed people need and deserve more protection. We pay PRSI as well, but if we are ill or there is no work for us, then there is no fallback. Psychologically, that’s awful.
‘I would be prepared to pay more PRSI if Minister Noonan would introduce measures to protect people like myself and my husband. We were let down again in this Budget.
‘Also raising the threshold for the Universal Social Charge from €12,100 to €13,000 won’t have much impact on anyone. I’m glad that they’ve lowered the top rate from 7 per cent to 5.5 per cent, though – that is like- ly to ease things for a lot of people. As regards the two free Montessori years for kids, that’s brilliant: I’m delighted about that. My own fouryear- old started Montessori this year. Really he was ready to go at age three but I couldn’t afford the €250 a month. So my youngest will benefit from this new measure.
‘Also I think the free GP care for under-12s is great. It’s not something I hope to have to use much but it’s a safety valve.
‘As far as I’m concerned, people should never have to worry about paying for healthcare. I would like to have seen free medical cards for everyone with a terminal illness: I think that’s only right.
‘As for the extra 50 cent on a packet of cigarettes, I don’t smoke but my husband does and I’ve no objection to them putting the price up. In fact I think they should have put it up more. Smoking is awful.’