John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if all staff in local offices have received suitable information and training in the new part-time job incentive and employer job PRSI incentive schemes being offered by her Department; and if suitable unemployed people are being identified by her Department and informed directly of these new schemes. [31513/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As announced in February 2012 under the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government agreed to simplify and extend the Employer Job PRSI Incentive scheme for new recruitment to the end of 2012. The duration of exemption, which previously applied for 12 months, has been increased to 18 months from 1 January 2012.

Under the scheme, if an employer employs an eligible employee who has been unemployed for 6 months or more, they are exempt from paying employers' PRSI for 18 months. The job must be new and additional, be for at least 30 hours a week and last for at least six months. Other changes introduced include, allowing time spent on the work placement programme and JobBridge (National Internship Scheme) to count towards the qualifying period for the scheme and allowing persons to undertake short FAS courses without impacting on their eligibility to qualify as an employee under the scheme.

The Employer Job PRSI Incentive scheme is administered centrally and it has been promoted extensively. All the main employer bodies were contacted to ensure they were fully aware of the scheme and its enhancements in 2012, and to request that they ensure all their members are aware of it's existence and benefits.

The Part-Time Job Incentive (PTJI) Scheme is an administrative scheme and is not covered by legislation. It was set up by Government decision in December 1986 and no recent changes have been made/announced in relation to it. All relevant departmental staff are aware of the operational procedures of this scheme and it's eligibility criteria. The PTJI is one of a number of schemes available to job seeking customers. Such customers are advised of the availability of these schemes through information leaflets, direct contact with departmental staff and through the department's website www.welfare.ie.