Self Employment Supports

Apply for Back to Work Enterprise Scheme

To apply, you should meet with your Department of Social Protection (DSP) Case Officer who will assess your suitability for the scheme in line with your progression plan. Once this is completed you will be referred to South West Mayo Development Company. We will help you to explore the viability of your business idea and to write your business plan. Once your business plan is completed, we will send it to your Case Officer who will review the proposal and make a recommendation to a Deciding Officer.

Application Form available here

If you are thinking about setting up a new business, we can provide you with a confidential service to discuss your idea, develop a business plan and cash flow projections.

We also offer training and support to eligible* customers to apply for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) or Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) if you want to progress into self-employment.

*To check if you are eligible for BTWEA or STEA, please contact a Case Officer in your Local INTREO office.

We offer the following self-employment supports to SICAP customers:

Support for “business idea progression”
Start Your Own Business (SYOB) training
Business plan development
One-to-one BTWEA or STEA application support
Follow up self-employment supports for trading individuals

Each month we run a Start Your Own Business course, which is funded jointly through SICAP and Mayo Local Enterprise Office (Mayo LEO).

Over the years, we have worked with hundreds of people who have started their own business.

In collaboration with our business customers, we are developing a series of stories; ‘My Journey to Self-Employment’ where people can showcase their business and offer advice to others hoping to follow their self-employment dream.

We hope you find these case studies interesting, informative and inspirational!

Naoise O’Toole – Lakeside Events

Thomas Murphy – Teem Lens

Enda Reid – Oldboy Campers

Margaret Routledge – Design at 8

South West Mayo Development Company offers self-employment supports to SICAP customers in the former Castlebar and Claremorris Municipal Districts.

For more information, please contact:

Breda Murray	Self Employment Specialist	bmurray@southmayo.com	087 224 2133
Olivia Kitterick	Enterprise & Social Enterprise Officer	okitterick@southmayo.com	087 060 4724