Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
411. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if applicants will be accepted to the GradStart programme by a business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10676/20]
View answerTo apply for GradStart a company needs to be a client of either Enterprise Ireland (EI), the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) or Údarás na Gaeltachta. Applications from EI clients are processed by that agency, LEO clients by their Local Enterprise office and Údarás clients would apply directly to Údarás na Gaeltachta.
There is not requirement in the terms and conditions of the grant that stipulates that the graduate must have a manufacturing/export qualification, so a graduate with an engineering qualification is eligible for GradStart. GradStart is open to graduates and postgraduates that fulfil the following criteria:
- Seeking graduate entry level positions;
- Have a recognised qualification not less than Level 6 on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, or recognised equivalent, or a postgraduate degree not less than Level 9 on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, or recognised equivalent;
- Have a valid work permit to work in Ireland (if required) for the duration of the 24-month placement; OR
- Hold a 1-year working visa with the option to renew the visa to allow completion of the 2-year contract – neither the hiring company nor Enterprise Ireland will have any liability or responsibility should the graduate be unable to renew their working visa.
- Have graduated within the last four years i.e. 2016; 2017; 2018 or 2019.
- Can provide proof of language proficiency where required by hiring company.
Ineligible graduates:
- Graduates who cannot provide evidence of having reached the required academic standard on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework or demonstrate equivalence;
- Graduates who do not, at time of application, have a valid work permit to work in Ireland;
- Graduates who are more than four years post-graduation i.e. graduated prior to 2016;
- Graduates recruited or on the company payroll prior to the grant support date, graduates transferred from another location of the company to the grant aided company location; graduates performing a sales or marketing role for the grantee company; graduates supported by the Jobs Plus Programme administered by the Department of Social Protection.
- Graduates who cannot provide proof of language proficiency (where required by hiring company).
