John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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195. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans regarding the continuation of the income tax relief on the back to work enterprise allowance; the number who have benefitted from the scheme in the past three years; the number that are on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25779/18]

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 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. At the end May 2018, there were 8,300 participants on the BTWEA scheme.

Questions on the application of income tax relief, such as the Start Your Own Business Relief scheme, should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Finance Public Expenditure and Reform.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.