Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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561. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount it would cost and the number of recipients who would be included, if those in year two of the back to work payment and due to finish the scheme from March to May 2021, received an additional year on the scheme as a one-off support, given level 5 restrictions and the impact of same on many recipients of the scheme. [9530/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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593. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the time allowed on the back to work enterprise allowance will be extended for current participants given that they have been unable to avail of the advantages of the scheme due to Covid-19 and have therefore lost out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10520/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 593 together.

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long term unemployed and is payable for a 24 month period from the commencement of their new business.

All participants of the BTWEA will receive their full period of entitlement of 24 months and therefore will not lose out on the support. This includes anyone who contacted the Department to suspend their allowance while their business closed during Covid related restrictions. Where someone suspended their BTWEA, they can avail of the remainder of their 24 months on reopening their business.

There are approximately 170 self-employed individuals who are due to exit the scheme from March to May. Extending payment for those exiting the scheme from March to May 2021 by three months would cost almost €0.4m.

These individuals may be entitled to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance payment depending on their situation at the end of their term on the BTWEA.

If there is a particular case that the Deputy has a concern about, my officials would be happy to examine it and advise of the options available.

I trust this clarifies the position.