Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
81. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has assessed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on persons who have been supported under the back to work enterprise programme; and if she has considered the need to evolve this programme as the economy reopens. [47854/21]
View answerThe 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. Funding of €64.8 million has been made available for the scheme in 2021.The BTWEA is payable to self-employed individuals for a 24-month period from the commencement of their new business. All eligible participants will receive their full period of entitlement of 24 months. This includes anyone who contacted the Department to temporarily suspend their allowance while their business closed during the pandemic. As announced in the July Stimulus last year, the BTWEA is available to recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) who qualify for a jobseekers payment and the normal qualifying period of 9 months was waived for this group. Under the new Pathways to Work strategy 2021 – 2025, the Government is committed to utilising its existing and expanded capacity to deliver effective services in a post-Covid labour market and commits to expanding the availability of places on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.Individuals in receipt of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance can also receive the enterprise support grant. This grant offers up to €2,500 over the first two years of a new business and assists with the early business start-up costs. I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
