HELP THE SELF-EMPLOYED
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The welfare system embraces over two million people – but not the self employed, who will probably get nothing if out of work, sick or disabled.
They have no Jobseeker’s Benefits entitlement and if they apply for assistance, they’ll be asked to produce last year’s accounts to prove their income.
And guess what – last year, they probably had an income. It’s the current year that’s the problem!
Most self-employed people don’t mind paying more PRSI in return for better benefits.
They currently pay Class S PRSI at 4% and get little for it apart from contributory pension entitlements. They also get a much lower tax credit than their PAYE counterparts.
When he was minister for social protection, Leo Varadkar pledged to sort out self-employed people.
Now he is Taoiseach, he’s even better placed fulfil his promise.