Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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58. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to set out the number of persons who have applied for the back-to-work enterprise allowance; the number who were successful; the number who have launched their own business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33519/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There are two schemes to assist people on certain social protection payments who wish to become self-employed; namely the Short Term Enterprise Allowance and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.

The Short Term Enterprise Allowance provides immediate access to those who qualify for jobseekers benefit wishing to set up a business. Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as their entitlement to jobseekers benefit.

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are on social welfare payments to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years; 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2.

Under both schemes, those taking up self-employment must first have their self-employment project approved as viable and sustainable by local development companies. At the end of August, 2015 there were 472 people availing of the Short Term Enterprise Allowance and 11,738 people availing of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. The Department does not collect information on the number of applications received or rejected.