Vol. 406 No. 4
104 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Labour his views on whether some applicants for the enterprise allowance scheme are discriminated against by virtue of the fact that their spouses are in employment and, therefore, cannot secure the necessary 13 weeks benefit from the Department of Social Welfare.
105 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Labour if he has satisfied himself regarding the regulations governing qualification for benefit under the enterprise allowance scheme, which stipulates that any applicant must be in receipt of benefit from the Department of Social Welfare for 13 weeks.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
The current eligibility conditions of the enterprise scheme are: (i) applicants must be in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit for at least 13 weeks prior to entering the scheme. Participation in a training course is acceptable as an alternative for part but not all of the 13 weeks; and (ii) applicants must be able to satisfy FÁS as to the viability of the business proposed and that they have the necessary skill to undertake it.
In the case of applicants who do not qualify under the present conditions, I am at present considering how progress can be made in implementing the recommendation included at paragraph 124 of section V of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress which provides that the live register requirements should be relaxed to facilitate women who wish to return to the workforce.
The question of eligibility for unemployment assistance or benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Welfare.
