Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which back to work applications have been approved in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which those previously self-employed and PAYE workers continue to benefit from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12048/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Schemes such as the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) and the Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) assist those on certain social welfare payments who wish to become self-employed.

The BTWEA is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are dependent on certain 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 one and 75% in year two). In the case of jobseekers, the qualifying period required for access to the BTWEA is 12 months in receipt of a jobseekers payment, provided a person has an underlying entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance (JA). Jobseekers who were previously self-employed, similar to PAYE workers, may access social welfare supports, including BTWEA, by establishing eligibility to JA.

The STEA provides immediate access to those who have lost their jobs and qualify for jobseeker’s benefit (JB) and wish to set up a business. Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as their entitlement to JB.

Information on accessing the scheme and supports for people considering starting their own business is available from DSP Intreo centres, local enterprise offices and local development companies. Further information is available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.

Information on the number of applications approved for payment under the two schemes for the years 2012 to end of April 2016 is set out in the following table.

Number of Applicants in Payment 2012-2016