Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent if any to which in the course of discussions with stakeholders it has been found possible to identify a means whereby existing employers can employ a percentage of extra staff without incurring greater costs thereby reducing the social welfare budget and increasing production in both services and manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52067/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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There are already a number of schemes in place to reduce the cost to employers who take on new employees from the Live Register, including the Employer’s PRSI Exemption Scheme and Revenue’s Job Assist scheme.

The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme exempts employers from liability to pay their share of PRSI for eligible employees for a period of up to 18 months.

Revenue Job Assist offers both employers and workers incentives in respect of the recruitment of people who have been continuously unemployed for 12 months or more. Job Assist applies for a period of three years and can be used in conjunction with the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme, where applicable. It applies to employers in the form of a double tax deduction on the employee's wages and employer's PRSI in respect of such wages. Further details of these schemes and other financial supports available to employers can be found on my Department’s website, .