No country for sick and self-employed

The provision of voluntary illness insurance for the self-employed is dividing the government, writes Michael Brennan.

Out on their own: No cover for Ireland's 324,000 self-employed people if they suffer a serious illness and are unable to resume work. Picture: Thinkstock

Ray Butler was in a dark place. He had spent 24 years running a shoe shop in Trim in Co Meath, but it had gone bust during the recession.

He did not have a penny to spare for 15 months and wondered where he would get the money to feed his three children and his wife, let alone his mortgage.

He sought help from his social welfare office, but got back a letter ...