Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That decision is in the process of being implemented. We have agreed the heads of a social welfare Bill, which will be announced shortly. Full details of the employer job incentive scheme relating to PRSI, including the application procedure, will be administered by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme will run for the calendar year and any qualifying employment created this year will be eligible for the scheme, which will be structured in order that employment created prior to its launch can participate for 12 months from the time of launch and employment created later in the year can participate for 12 months to the corresponding date the following year. For example, in the case of qualifying employment created prior to the launch of the scheme, standard employee and employer PRSI will be paid but, following approval for the scheme, the employer will benefit from a PRSI exemption for 12 months from the date of approval. PRSI rebates will not be a feature of the scheme. Account will be given for the creation of employment in 2010, as promised.

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