Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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862. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to review the guidelines on eligibility for the back-to-work enterprise allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63646/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme (BTWEA) offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. 

To qualify for BTWEA a person is required to have received an eligible primary payment continuously for 9 months.  An applicant who is a casual worker is required to be in receipt of a jobseekers payment for 12 months immediately prior to the BTWEA application and can have a maximum of 30 days of insurable employment during that period.  There are no plans to amend the eligibility for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance at this time. 

In addition to BTWEA, those in self-employment may have entitlement to support under the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme.  Means derived from their self-employment would be assessed and a weekly Jobseeker's Allowance rate may be payable.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides a range of tailored supports for enterprises in Ireland.  This includes the network of Local Enterprise Offices across the country which are a first-stop shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business.  The Local Enterprise Offices offer a range of business supports including financial supports, training programmes and mentoring. 

I trust this clarifies the position.