Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2013
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of incentives currently available to employers to increase their workforce in the short and medium term, with particular reference to alleviation of the numbers of long-term unemployed and youth unemployed; if he will indicate the number of such positions taken up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33660/13]
View answerSupports to employers to increase their workforce are primarily provided through the Department of Social Protection. The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, T.D., has been rolling out a new streamlined service, known as Intreo, which offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike. The new service includes the provision of recruitment and job-matching services for employers, to facilitate the hiring of workers from the Live Register. Along with the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister Burton, I launched the new JobsPlus Incentive on 8 July. JobsPlus is a new initiative which encourages employers to offer employment opportunities to the long term unemployed.
The Incentive will provide two levels of payment: a payment of €7,500 over two years to an employer for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 12 months, but less than 24 months, and a payment of €10,000 over two years for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24 months. The new Incentive will be payable monthly in arrears. In order to qualify, an employer must offer full time employment of at least 30 hours per week, spanning at least four days per week, to eligible recruits.
Details of the full range of services available to employers through Intreo, and of the JobsPlus initiative are available on the Department of Social Protection’s website, www.welfare.ie.
