Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 April 2023
126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any supports for businesses that employ jobseekers who have temporary protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19734/23]
View answerOn 4th March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the Temporary Protection Directive in respect of people fleeing the war in the Ukraine. This means that people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive can move through the EU on the same basis as EU citizens. Businesses that employ jobseekers who have temporary protection are entitled to the same supports available from my Department as with all jobseekers, they employ.
My Department's employer relations officers work with employers on their recruitment requirements. In addition, my Department has a number of schemes, such as the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) and JobsPlus scheme ,which can assist employers provide work experience for potential employees and who recruit directly from the Live Register.
The Work Placement Experience Programme is a government funded work placement programme for jobseekers on an eligible social welfare payment aged between 18 and 65, including those covered by the temporary protection directive. Employers who host a WPEP participant provide a placement for 6 months with the participant attending for work experience for 30 hours a week. Participants are expected to complete at least 60 hours of training while on their work placement, of which 20 hours should be accredited or sector recognised training.
WPEP allows employers to access a potential pipeline of future employees and helps by offsetting costs during training. Participants are paid a minimum of €323 per week WPEP allowance by my Department regardless of their age, other income or means. All participants continue to receive any underlying social protection entitlements for qualified adults and children and any underlying secondary protection benefits they had an entitlement to prior to commencing a WPEP placement.
The JobsPlus scheme gives an employer a financial incentive to recruit employees who have been out of work for long periods as well as young unemployed people. It provides a direct monthly tax free payment to employers over two years, with two levels of grant payable - €7,500 or €10,000 - provided that the employment is maintained. The level of payment depends on the age of the jobseeker and the length of time in receipt of a qualifying payment.
Time on WPEP counts towards eligibility for JobsPlus. Increasing numbers of Temporary Protection jobseekers are meeting the eligibility threshold for this support.
Employers hiring these jobseekers may also avail of the Departmental supports focused on diversity and inclusion. The Wage Subsidy Scheme offers a financial incentive for businesses to employ people with a disability in order to address perceived productivity shortfalls. Also, the Workplace equipment adaptation grant supports workplace adaptation or the procurement of specialist equipment.
My Department also provides an online jobs portal - JobsIreland.ie - which enables employers advertise job vacancies and for jobseekers to apply for job vacancies. This service is open to all seeking employment and it can be accessed directly by individuals who can upload details of skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities. The resources and job opportunities available are also promoted through social media in the Ukrainian and Russian languages. This service includes a network of staff providing expert guidance and resources to both jobseekers and employers. Staff can help jobseekers to create a CV and find employment as well as assisting employers to fill job vacancies and match their requirements to jobseeker profiles uploaded on the portal.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy
