Fresh concerns have been raised about a British government scheme set up to help the self-employed during the Covid-19 crisis which does not accept Irish passports or driving licences issued in Northern Ireland.
The Self-employment Income Support Scheme was announced after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and is run by officials at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
To be considered, applicants must fill out an online application form which includes an ID verification process.
Last week it emerged that the website does not accept an Irish passport or a driving licence issued in the north as part of this process.
The scheme, which was launched on Wednesday, is designed to match the support being given to employees who have been furloughed.
Grants will be calculated as 80 per cent of average monthly profit over a period of up to three years and cash will be paid into the accounts of eligible applicants six days after applying.
Mid Ulster assembly member Patsy McGlone first raised concerns about access to the scheme and confirmed he had asked economy minister Diane Dodds what communication she has had with Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the issue.
That question was subsequently passed over to finance minister Conor Murphy who has responded to say his Permanent Secretary has raised this matter directly with the Chief Executive of HMRC who said that “people living here will not be excluded from the scheme."
It was also claimed that people can use “credit reference information online to verify their identity if they have not already established their credentials with HMRC or possess the other documents that can be used”.
It was also suggested a helpline can be called and that HMRC is working towards a “speedy solution”.
Mr McGlone last night said some self employed people are continue to face difficulties.
“I thank the minister for his reply however people will require more substance in order to progress their applications for the scheme,” he said.
“The Helpline numbers at HMRC for taxpayers and agents alike are very busy and proving difficult to get through to.
“I do hope that the minister is able to resolve these issues with HMRC as soon as possible - many self-employed are getting it tight and simply need the money.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Finance said: "(Last week) the Department raised this issue at the highest level with HMRC and has received assurances they are working to resolve this as quickly as possible and that no one here will be excluded as a result of identification issues.”
