A LIMERICK man whose business closed in May is now relying on St. Vincent de Paul to provide for his family.
The man’s claim for social welfare benefits has been rejected. His plight and those of others in similar situations has led the Fine Gael Limerick deputy, Kieran O’Donnell to seek an urgent reform of the welfare system for self-employed people who are currently not entitled to any benefits from the State.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, the man, who ran his own business is now relying on €50 a week from St. Vincent de Paul and had to borrow money to pay for his daughter’s school books.
“I have stacks of bills to pay, and haven’t had a proper dinner for days. I can’t get a penny from social welfare but if I was just off a plane from Lagos I would be entitled to a bed and an allowance every week.
“I don’t know what I would do if it weren’t for St. Vincent de Paul, but they can only give me barely enough to survive.”
The middle aged man who approached his local health centre for emergency funds, said that this claim was also rejected.
“What am I supposed to do while I appeal this – people are giving out about the amount of the Back to School Allowance they’re receiving but I can’t get a penny of that because I’m not on social welfare.”
Acknowledging that there are many more in a similar situation to his, he said, “I really want to make it known that we are in a genuine crisis situation.”
Deputy Kieran O’Donnell confirmed to the Limerick Post that he has contacted the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton with a view to addressing the system for the self employed in the next Budget.
“A person who was self employed is not entitled to job seekers benefit, but can apply for job seekers allowance, which is much more strictly means tested, and involves many forms and documents”, the deputy said.
“There can be a huge delay in payment with people struggling while they wait and this is something we must now address,
“I’m urging the minister to address the issue which requires immediate action”.
