Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to a person who is on a community employment scheme and who plans to commence their own business in a self-employed capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4832/19]

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.

Periods spent on a Community Employment Scheme count towards the qualifying period for the BTWEA scheme. Following a period on a Community Employment scheme an applicant will have to establish an entitlement to a qualifying payment (e.g. Jobseekers) prior to applying for BTWEA.

A person who is currently participating on a Community Employment scheme and who is considering starting their own business should make contact with their local Intreo Centre and arrange an appointment with a Case Officer with whom they can discuss their eligibility for the scheme and the suitability of their business proposal.