Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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301. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible to have one years payments for a back to work allowance participant (details supplied) paid up front so that they will be able to finance their new start up business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19937/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTEA) is payable to customers receiving certain social welfare payments, including Jobseeker's Allowance, who would like to become self-employed.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance. An application for BTEA from the person concerned has not been received to date.

In order to qualify, an applicant must be:

- Setting up a business that a Partnership Company has approved in writing in advance; and

- Getting one of the qualifying payments for at least 12 months

There is no provision in the existing scheme to pay one year’s payment in advance. The claimant is paid a portion of their previous social welfare entitlement for 2 years - 100% in Year 1 and 75% in Year 2. Payments are made on a weekly basis.