SELF-EMPLOYED PEOPLE losing their businesses are being discriminated against, Independent TD Mattie McGrath has claimed.

“They had the energy, enthusiasm and vigour to set up businesses and employ others,” he said. “Now that their businesses have failed because of the downturn, they are entitled to nothing.”

Mr McGrath said they were deemed ineligible for schemes open to the unemployed.

“It amounts to discrimination,” he added.

Mr McGrath was speaking during the debate on a Fianna Fáil Private Member’s motion, debated on Wednesday and yesterday, calling on the Government to maintain headline social welfare rates and ensure that self-employed people were protected against unemployment and illness.

Fianna Fáil social protection spokesman Barry Cowen said that from 2000 to 2010, when resources were available, his party had tripled social welfare expenditure. “It now continues to emphasise the need for a safety net for the most vulnerable in society and those affected by the economic crisis,” he added.

“In meeting our targets under the EU-IMF programme of financial support, the advances Fianna Fáil made across social welfare programmes should be protected, especially given the potential for EU support for our bank recapitalisation.”

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said that despite constraints, the Government was determined to do its utmost to protect the most vulnerable in society.