Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
794. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the back-to-work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) to include individuals who are signing on for PRSI credits but are excluded from payments due to means testing; or alternatively, if he will consider introducing a parallel pathway for people in such a position to access the BTWEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30856/26]
View answerThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to re-entering the labour market. The scheme supports people in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their payment over two years.
There are no plans to extend the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme to persons who do not have an underlying entitlement to a social welfare scheme.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment provide a range of tailored supports for enterprise in Ireland. Supports include access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
