Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons who wish to start a business as driving instructors having received the necessary qualifications from FÁS are refused the back to work enterprise allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27519/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1The back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) scheme is designed to encourage people who are dependent on certain social welfare payments to engage in self employment while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years.

A person on a qualifying social welfare payment wishing to commence a business as an approved driving instructor may apply for the BTWEA scheme.

To qualify for the BTWEA scheme a person must set up a self-employment business that has been approved by a Local Integrated Development Company or one of this Department's facilitators. The business venture must be deemed to be viable and sustainable and must not involve displacement of existing business in the same industry. Approval normally involves an interview with the applicant to assess the viability of the proposed project, to provide advice on funding, on "Start Your Own Business" courses and other relevant aspects. In assessing viability, cognisance is taken of the demand for, and supply of, the particular service at local level.

All BTWEA applicants including those applying to commence business as an approved driving instructor will continue to be assessed on a case by case basis as outlined.