Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:204. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the specific supports available to unemployed taxi drivers who wish to return to the taxi industry. [6088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 February 2015
Ceisteanna (204)
Freagraí scríofa
A range of supports are available to jobseekers from the Department. A jobseeker who is available for and genuinely seeking work can apply for the contribution-based jobseeker’s benefit or the means-tested jobseeker’s allowance, depending on their previous employment history. While the Department does not provide any specific supports for those wishing to join or return to the taxi industry, a jobseeker may avail of any of the following supports to aid their return to employment/self-employment:
- A person who is self-employed can apply for Jobseeker's Allowance if their income falls below a certain level. The applicant can continue in self-employment with their earnings from the business assessed to determine the level of jobseeker’s allowance that can be paid.
- The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) gives support to people who have lost their job and want to start their own business. A person must be in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit payment to qualify and payment will cease when the entitlement to jobseekers benefit expires.
- The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme is available to support persons who are long-term unemployed and wish to develop or take up self-employment opportunities. The scheme allows a qualified person to retain a reducing proportion of their social protection payment, plus secondary benefits over a two year period. However, it is important to note that given the nature of the taxi industry and concerns about displacement of existing operators and viability, the likelihood of a jobseeker being approved for BTWEA to establish a taxi business in relatively low.
- A jobseeker may quality to be supported under JobsPlus, an incentive that provides cash subsidies to employers to recruit jobseekers who are longer-term unemployed.
Information on accessing schemes and supports for jobseekers is available from DSP Intreo centres with further information available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
Question No. 205 withdrawn.