Self-Employment Supports

We support people who are on certain social welfare payments to set up their own enterprise through the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (BTWEA) and Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA). Officers work with clients to write business plans, participate in Start Your Own Business courses and access mentoring and advice. In 2022 we will also be working on a pilot programme to support food enterprise development with people from New Communities.

Individuals wanting to set up their own enterprise can avail of the BTWEA. This scheme encourages people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed.

If you take part in the BTWEA scheme you can keep a percentage of your social welfare payment for up to 2 years. BTWEA is a payment made by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to people aged under 66.

There is also a separate Back to Work Scheme called the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance, which supports people on Jobseeker's Benefit to start their own business.

A pre-clearance process called the "Assessment of Suitability" must first be carried out by a Case Officer from the Intreo Office - Department of Social Protection (DSP) to establish eligibility for either scheme. If not eligible for the BTWEA, the Enterprise Officer will be able to assist clients in looking at other possible support options.