Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the eligibility criteria for the back to work enterprise allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27379/24]

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 re-entering the labour market.

To qualify for BTWEA a person is required to have received an eligible income support payment continuously for 9 months. An applicant who is a part time or 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.

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 new 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.