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For young people

Your idea. Your call. Real backing to start it.

Out of school, out of work, or just working out what’s next? You can start something of your own, and there’s State support to help: money while you get going, courses, and people in your area to back you.

Sign up freeBack to Work Enterprise Allowance calculator

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8.1%

of 15 to 29 year olds in Ireland are between things right now: not working, studying or training (2025, EU average 11.0%). Plenty of them are working on an idea.
Eurostat, September 2026

Schemes you can use

Official schemes and who they’re for. The ones only for young people come first.

  • Keep an incomeJob search until approved

    Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

    After at least 9 months on a qualifying payment, you can start an approved new business and keep 100% of your payment in year one and 75% in year two.

    What is this, and what do I have to do? →
    • 100% of your payment in year 1, 75% in year 2 (including increases for dependants)
    • Needs 9 months on e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment or Disability Allowance
    • Approved in writing by Intreo and a Local Development Company before you trade
    • Not taxable; can be combined with the Enterprise Support Grant (up to €2,500)
    Official siteChecked 25 Sept 2026
  • Grant

    Enterprise Support Grant

    If you are approved for BTWEA or STEA, you can apply for up to €2,500 towards start-up costs such as equipment, insurance and marketing. You pay a share of each cost.

    • Up to €2,500 on BTWEA; €1,000 on a 9-month STEA; €625 on a 6-month STEA
    • You pay at least 20% of each cost (10% for mentoring and short training)
    • Pays against quotes and invoices; not rent, vehicles or stock
    Official siteChecked 25 Sept 2026
  • Advice & support

    Local Enterprise Office supports

    Training, mentoring and the Start Your Own Business programme. LEO grants mainly go to manufacturing and export businesses, so most local services will not qualify.

    • Start Your Own Business training and one-to-one mentoring at 31 local offices
    • Priming Grant: up to 50% of investment in the first 18 months, for eligible sectors only
    • Retail, personal services, professional services and construction are generally excluded from grants
    Official siteChecked 25 Sept 2026
  • Loan

    Microfinance Ireland Start-Up Loan

    A government-backed not-for-profit lender offering €5,000 to €50,000 to new small businesses that struggle to borrow from banks.

    • €5,000 to €50,000, up to 3 years, no fees
    • 6.5% interest, or 5.5% if you apply through a Local Enterprise Office
    • Up to 5 free mentoring sessions
    Official siteChecked 25 Sept 2026
  • Keep an incomeJob search until approved

    Short-Term Enterprise Allowance

    If you get Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, you can keep the same weekly payment for up to 9 months while you start an approved business.

    What is this, and what do I have to do? →
    • Same weekly rate as your jobseeker payment, for up to 9 months
    • No minimum time on the payment; an Intreo adviser must recommend it first
    • Taxable; seasonal or part-time self-employment does not qualify
    Official siteChecked 25 Sept 2026

Summaries are simplified. Always check the official source before you apply.

Who to talk to first

Free, and they help people in your position every day.

  • Intreo and your Local Development Company

    Your Intreo Employment Personal Adviser refers you to a Local Development Company, which helps you write the business plan that BTWEA needs. LDCs also run SICAP: one-to-one support into work or self-employment with no waiting period.

    Official page

  • Foróige NFTE

    A hands-on enterprise programme with mentoring and pitching for young people facing social or educational challenges, run in schools and youth services. Running in 2026.

    Official page

  • Youthreach

    Ages 15–20

    A second-chance course for early school leavers, with a weekly allowance of up to €254 from age 18. Join any time of year.

    Official page

Age rules that change your numbers

  • Aged 18 to 24 and living at home, Jobseeker’s Allowance is usually €163.70 a week (€254 with a child or living independently with housing support). BTWEA is based on your Jobseeker’s rate, so check yours on your statement. Official page

  • BTWEA needs 9 months (234 days) on a jobseeker’s payment first. Use that time to write your plan with your Local Development Company. Official page

  • Under 30? The Work Placement Experience Programme needs only 4 months on a qualifying payment and pays €369 a week for 6 months, a way to build skills and savings first. Official page

  • Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) and the Youth Employment Support Scheme have ended, whatever older pages say. Official page

Try the numbers firstBack to Work Enterprise Allowance calculatorSee what you’d keep over 2 years, plus the Enterprise Support Grant.

Put it all into one plan

Pick your schemes, add your figures and see your living and start-up budgets side by side. It takes about 2 minutes.

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Cite this page

"Starting a business when you’re young and out of work in Ireland (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/ie/young-people/ (updated 25 September 2026)

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