Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a grant or lump sum funding is available to assist persons setting up in self-employment under the back to work enterprise allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42373/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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.

No lump-sum funds are available from the Department. The Department can provide up to 80% support for customer approved for the BTWEA for the purchase of items of business supports, mentoring, business equipment, public liability insurance, upgrading of premises owned by the applicant and accountancy, legal and related services through the Employment Support Grant (ESG) which is administered by the Department's Case Officers. Information on accessing finance and a range of other supports for start-up is available from Local Enterprise Offices. DSP Intreo centres and local development companies are also in a position to advise persons wishing to pursue self-employment opportunities.