Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person, who is a participant on a JobBridge scheme in a voluntary secondary school, may subsequently participate on the JobsPlus scheme in the same school; if the JobsPlus scheme is confined to fee-paying schools only; if State-funded schools are excluded from this particular scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17869/15]
View answerJobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years – paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed. In April, the Department disbursed some €1.79 million to 3,437 employers in respect of 4,670 employees being supported by JobsPlus.
Persons pursuing internships under JobBridge - who were in receipt of a qualifying payment prior to their internship - may be employed directly from the scheme once the required qualifying period and conditions are satisfied. An employer and employee should apply online as normal in these circumstances.
An employer deemed as a public service body is not eligible for the Incentive. A person or body funded by the Oireachtas or by the Central Fund and in respect of which a public service pension scheme exists or may be made is defined as a public service body. This includes schools, boards of management and education providers wholly or partly funded by the Department of Education and Skills.
