Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

SUPPORTS FOR FORMER SELF EMPLOYED NEEDED

Published: 21 March, 2010

SUPPORTS FOR FORMER SELF EMPLOYED NEEDED

"I've paid my way all my life and now when I need help, the system ignores me. I have nothing to provide for my family."

The words of a former self employed construction worker who has been told that they are not entitled to any state assistance.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Thérèse Ruane, is calling for the immediate intervention of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to address the plight of families who are unemployed but cannot avail of social welfare entitlements. She insists that people who were self employed, but now have no work, are entitled to support and protection of this state.

Thérèse Ruane said:

"I've been inundated over the past months by people who were self employed but now find themselves without work. People who worked as sub contractors in the construction industry make up the bulk of the cases and they now find themselves in a very difficult situation. They are unemployed. They have no income and are having great difficulties meeting mortgage repayments, loan repayments, the costs of day to day living. They need the support of the state but when they apply for social welfare assistance, they are told they don't qualify."

"This really isn't fair. Anyone who had a C2 license or paid 35% tax are being denied assistance. As self employed people they could not legally make PRSI contributions for themselves and so they are not entitled to benefits. The majority of people with C2s weren't the big earners during the celtic tiger, most worked for a weekly wage. Now, they are being punished and many are struggling to survive."

"People are getting very frustrated about this; these are people who contributed to our economy over the last decade yet are now being treated with contempt by this government. Many people are being forced to emigrate for work, that is, if they can find work abroad to meet their debts and provide for their families in this country."

"This government needs to respond immediately with initiatives to alleviate the plight of families who are falling through the cracks in current social welfare provision."