Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person on farm assist would still qualify for the back to work enterprise allowance were they to participate on the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47452/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are dependent on certain social welfare payments to develop an enterprise, 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 individuals in receipt of Farm Assist, the qualifying period required for access to the BTWEA is 9 months provided that the self-employment is not in relation to their holding and is not a continuation of an existing operation.

Periods spent on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) count towards the qualifying period provided they are preceded by a qualifying payment. Following a period on RSS an applicant will have to re-establish an entitlement to a qualifying payment (e.g. Jobseekers or Farm Assist) prior to applying for BTWEA

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.