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.
All Jobseekers, including those who were previously self-employed but became unemployed during the recession, can avail of the BTWEA once they are setting up a new enterprise that is tradeable and tangible and they have not availed of BTWEA within the past 5 years. My Department will be happy to assist any jobseeker who wishes to avail of this scheme. He or she can seek assistance by contacting their local Intreo office.