Social Welfare Eligibility

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Questions (638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643)

Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

638. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify the eligibility of individuals for an allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51626/25]

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Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

639. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if clear written guidance can be provided to Intreo staff regarding the eligibility of social enterprise founders and directors for the back to work enterprise allowance, in view of the Government’s stated policy to support social enterprises and neurodivergent individuals’ participation in economic and social life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51627/25]

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Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

640. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline how the current back to work enterprise allowance eligibility criteria apply to social enterprises registered as companies limited by guarantee, and whether directors or founders working on a contract or employment basis are eligible to apply for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51628/25]

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Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

641. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the back to work enterprise allowance scheme to ensure that it is accessible to founders of social enterprises, particularly those serving vulnerable or neurodivergent adults, given the Government’s commitment to supporting social inclusion and mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51629/25]

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Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

642. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the intention to work on a contract basis for a social enterprise, prior to the enterprise being able to offer direct employment, precludes an applicant from qualifying for the back to work enterprise allowance; and if not, if he will issue guidance to Intreo offices to ensure consistency in decision making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/25]

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Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

643. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on any plans to amend the back to work enterprise allowance, or related supports, to better accommodate the unique structures and needs of social enterprises, in line with the Government’s social enterprise policy and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51631/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 638 to 643, inclsive, together.

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme provides support for the setting up of a new enterprise based in Ireland which is to be established as either a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company.

The proposed enterprise must be recommended, in advance, by both the Enterprise Officer in the Local Development Company and my Department's Employment Personal Adviser, before a final decision is made by the Deciding Officer to approve the application. No application for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance has been received to date for the enterprise mentioned in the details supplied.

Employment Personal Advisers establish that the proposed business is a new enterprise and examine the proposed business under the following headings: sustainability, displacement, seasonality and market saturation/competition.

Approved Back to Work Enterprise Allowance customers are expected to devote 100% of their time to the business venture to maximise the chances of success are therefore not allowed to enter into paid employment as an employee, either in a full-time or part-time capacity, while in receipt of Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. This also includes working as an employee of the business being set up, rather than being the owner/director of the enterprise.

Operational Guidelines for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance are publicly available on www.gov.ie.

Question No. 639 answered with Question No. 638.

Question No. 640 answered with Question No. 638.