Skip to main content
Normal View

Employment Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Questions (528)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if business supports exist for new businesses in the automotive services sector that are taking on new employees, who are transitioning from long term unemployment or are in receipt of an unemployment support payment from the Department of Social Protection. [4420/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under Government's employment services strategy, Pathways to Work, my Department provides incentives and supports to businesses to recruit persons who are unemployed. These supports are not sector specific and are open to business across all sectors once they and the unemployed persons they intend to employ, satisfy certain conditions.

A JobsPlus subsidy of either €7,500 or€10,000 is available to employers who recruit eligible jobseekers. The level of payment depends on the age of the jobseeker and the length of time spent on the Live Register or in receipt of a qualifying payment. This subsidy is paid in monthly instalments to the employer over a two-year period provided the employment is maintained.

Time spent in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will count towards jobseekers' JobsPlus eligibility.

Through its central Employer Engagement Team and local Intreo offices, my Department also provides supports to employers who are recruiting, in particular focusing on recruiting from amongst those on the live register. The jobsireland.ie website is also available to employers to advertise vacancies and is a very useful recruitment tool for employers.

The Training Support Grant provides quick access to short term training or related interventions, obtain or renew certification and permits for individual jobseekers that have identified work opportunities or where a skills gap exists that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer. Each jobseeker can get a maximum amount of €1,000 per annum.

Business may also be interested in participating in the Work Placement and Experience Programme WPEP as host organisations. Under WPEP eligible business provide work experience and training to eligible jobseekers over six month period. Participants are paid directly by my Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Top
Share